The Lakelander - Issue 42

ISSU E 42

The Business Issue LESSONS ALONG THE WAY BIG BUSINESS IN LAKELAND LEGACY & LINEAGE THE BUSINESS OF FOOD

The perfect photo won’t wait.

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At Lakeland Regional Health, our exceptional team of highly skilled board-certified urologists provide compassionate care using the most up-to-date technology and minimally invasive procedures.

Conditions we treat include: • Kidney stones

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When you feel your best, you can focus on what really matters.

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C O N T E N T S ISSUE 42

ON THE COVER Years after launching Black & Brew and on the cusp of the success of his latest venture, Patriot Coffee, Chris McArthur shares his lessons learned along the way.

Photo by Dan Austin

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THE LAKELANDER

CONTENTS

82 FEATURES

46 • PEOPLE

60 • MENTAL HEALTH

68 • HERITAGE

82 • STYLE

Lessons Along the Way

The Green Through the Gray

Legacy and Lineage

Moving the Needle

The owner of Black & Brew and founder of Patriot Coffee shares his journey to success

Seeing the light in the midst of stress

Multi-generational companies that continue to carry on the family business

Making professional workday wear work for you

Building Quality New Homes

Designed for Your Life Since 1996

• Beautiful new homes priced from the mid $100’s to $300’s

• Choose from 30+ home plans with 1,301 to 3,315 square feet of living space

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CONTENTS

94 94 • TASTE

The Business of Food Long-lasting tastemakers

106 • SPECIAL

Is Your Business Healthy?

How to achieve optimal wellness at work

114 • MARKET

106

Big Business Major employers’ impact on the city

114

DEPARTMENTS

16

THE LAKELANDER

18 • MASTHEAD

22 • CONTRIBUTORS

26 • METRO

20 • EDITOR’S NOTE

24 • LETTERS

130 • HISTORY

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Editorial CONTRIBUTORS

PRODUCTION EDITOR COPY EDITOR

Abdiel Gonzalez, Joel Helm, Emily Johnson, Annalee Mutz, Erica H. Sirrine Annalee Mutz Laura Burke

Creative DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHERS

VP, FINANCE EDITORIAL INTERN SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

Anushka van Huyssteen Dan Austin, John Kazaklis, Richard Om, Tina Sargeant Deb Patterson Emily Johnson Allie Bernatek

Circulation CIRCULATION DIRECTOR GENERAL COUNSEL

Jason Jacobs Ted W. Weeks IV

Issue 42 - June 2018 The Lakelander is published bimonthly by Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802.

Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission of The Lakelander is prohibited. The Lakelander is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions.

Patterson Jacobs

Contact Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802 863.701.2707 • thelakelander.com

Customer Service: 863.701.2707 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

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I SS U E 41

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I can remember my first time driving through Lakeland, past the iconic Publix location under the Southgate sign and — as a teenager — being struck by the nostalgia of an Edward Scissorhands still. As a college student arriving from the Boston area, it was an exciting facet of the homey city to discover. (That, and seeing films like 13 Conversations About One Thing in the star-lit Polk Theatre.)

LAKELAND CONTINUES TO HOLD ON TO SOME OF ITS NOSTALGIC MAGIC, SOME OF THAT SMALL-TOWN FEEL, WHILE GROWING WELL BEYOND THE BORDERS OF A SMALL TOWN. At the time, there were no Starbucks here (and, as a former Starbucks’ barista, I may have been experiencing withdrawals), except for one conveniently tucked inside a Barnes & Noble on 98 North.

For someone driving through Lakeland over 10 years ago, it would’ve been easy

Kristin Crosby EDITOR

863-682-3803 acu-temp.com 20

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to assume they were simply passing by a quaint town run on the small businesses that maintain the loyalty of faithful customers who like things to stay the same. Yet, within the span of my college career, the city suddenly escalated with developments that seemed to evolve out of thin air. I’d leave for a summer break and return to find new restaurants, new Publix locations, new theatres, and (though not until after I had graduated and returned to work at my alma mater SEU), many new coffee shops.

Today, there are areas of the city one can pass and feel somehow transported in a film alongside Edward and Kim. Among the big developments, among close friends and family who’ve launched their own lucrative businesses, Lakeland continues to hold on to some of its nostalgic magic, some of that small-town feel, while growing well beyond the borders of a small town. Somehow it still manages to hold onto its roots even while moving on up.

It’s a good time to be a student in Lakeland.

Well, really, no matter who you are, it’s a good time to be in Lakeland.

C O N T R I B U T O R S THE WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT MAKE THE LAKELANDER

RICHARD OM

“Is Your Business Healthy?” written by Annalee Mutz, p. 106

ANNALEE MUTZ Annalee Mutz was born in Japan and has spent most of her life traveling the world, visiting over 32 countries. She first moved to Lakeland in 2009 for college and has called Lakeland home since. She holds degrees in journalism and public relations and a master’s in business administration.

Since then she has worked on multiple creative teams and publications, and is a firm believer in the power of storytelling. In addition to writing and freelancing, Annalee’s loves in life include her husband, Michael; books; art museums; traveling and learning about new cultures; live music; 1999 rom-coms; and yoga. annaleemutz.com You first became involved with The Lakelander right near the birth of the magazine. Any memorable moments from the early years?

A regular work day might have involved my car being filled with large subtropical plants from The Green House Garden Store to help style homes for our Shelter shoots. I also had fun implementing our initial social media strategy for The Lakelander.

However, if you decide to scroll through our Instagram and look back to then, please don’t judge — I promise those filters and frames were cool back then!

What led you to first have a desire to write?

As long as I’ve been able to hear and make sense of stories, I’ve been in love with the written word.

As a kid, I would constantly sit around journaling my thoughts, writing poetry, and creating imaginative short stories. My first short story was a detailed account on the life of a Tamagotchi, those eggshaped digital pet games that were big in the mid-’90s … at least, big in my world because I grew up in Japan.

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We hear you’re an avid reader. What are the current reads on your night stand?

My current reads include Soul Keeping by John Ortberg, An American Childhood by Annie Dillard, and I’m listening to The Power of Moments by Chip Heath on Audible. I’m also always slowly reading my way through a poetry book. Currently, that’s The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur.

We also hear you’re a stellar yoga instructor at The Balance Culture. How long have you been teaching, and what’s your favorite pose?

Almost two years ago. I was terrified of group fitness and public speaking. So, I thought becoming a certified instructor would be a great way to tackle both those fears. Along with yoga, I now teach barre and Pilates classes too. I would say my favorite yoga pose is pigeon.

What does an ideal Saturday spent in Lakeland look like for you?

Attending a class at The Balance Culture, followed by breakfast at Born & Bread and coffee at Concord with my husband, Michael, and our dog Finn — our recent furry addition to our family.

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Richard Om is a freelance photographer residing in Lakeland, Florida. He enjoys shooting portraits, lifestyle, and documentary photography. He has a passion for life, creating memories, and capturing timeless moments. For Richard, photography has been a way to express himself, be a story teller, and to create vibrant stills.

Instagram: @richardjom

ABDIEL GONZALEZ Abdiel and his wife, Kristy, own and operate 5th & Hall, a retail store offering exclusive national and local clothing for men and women.

A firm believer in quality over quantity, Abdiel lives by the motto: “Spend more money on your hair and shoes, and everything in between will work itself out.”

5thandhall.com See the masthead on p. 18 for a list of all contributing writers and photographers.

BRANDON LEGAL GROUP

L E T T E R S COMMENTS FROM LAKELANDERS

WE ARE SO THRILLED TO SEE #KULAKELAND ALUM TARI TERRY FEATURED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF @LAKELANDERMAG! TARI GRADUATED FROM KEISER LAKELAND IN 2009 WITH A DEGREE IN SPORTS MEDICINE AND FITNESS TECHNOLOGY. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

A Full Service Law Firm & Family Law Mediation Center

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Family Law & Divorce, Wills & Trusts, Criminal Law, Bankruptcy, Business Law, & Real Estate Law

SO WE’RE SITTING AT @ BLACKANDBREW READING ABOUT @ BORNANDBREADFL IN THE NEW ISSUE OF @LAKELANDERMAG WEARING OUR FAVORITE @WORLDFINDS BRACELETS. IT’S EVERYTHING WE LOVE ABOUT LAKELAND IN THE SAME PICTURE! @take.heart.africa // Instagram

Melissa A. Gravitt Lakeland Of�ice

Correction

Available by Appointment

In Issue 40, our Taste feature “Sedar Plate” gave photography credit to Tina Sargeant.

These images were actually photographed by Tiffani Jones. Our sincerest apologies to Tiffani and Tina for the oversight.

Brandon Of�ice 24

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Class every other Saturday or Online Finish in as few as 16 months or at your own pace One of the Best Schools to Earn an MBA Princeton Review

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M E T R O NEW AND NOTABLE IN LAKELAND

Sitting On A Dream Our minds have a natural propensity to wander. Is this time wasted? Or can a tendency to drift and dream move us forward?

W

e live in a country that prides itself on the ideal that every U.S. citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative — the very definition of the American dream. We are a culture that likes to dream; we are quite skilled at it. It essentially runs in our blood and comes quite natural to us. In many ways, we create opportunities for dreaming and imagination to be woven into every facet of our lives, whether we’re aware of it at the time or not.

Our brain runs on two key systems: an analytic part which helps us make reasoned decisions and an empathetic part that allows us to relate to others. Yet, we spend 50 percent of our time in a mindwandering state, anticipating the future.

As National Geographic research found, daydreaming turns off parts of the brain: “When confronted with a cognitive task, your brain requires the empathetic area to turn off to get the job done,” notes Anthony Jack, a cognitive scientist at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

In other words, “If you are engaged in a demanding analytic task, it doesn’t leave any room for empathy.” Yet, when you are daydreaming, your mind naturally cycles through different modes of thinking, and

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during this time the analytic and empathetic parts of your brain tend to turn each other off.

Clearly, there are many cases against wandering and dreaming for the many negative places it can take the mind. A recent Harvard 2010 study found a wandering mind leaves most unhappy (a state of mind otherwise known as Fear of Missing Out, or FOMO). It can disturb the learning process, associated with poorer performance of overall intelligence and memory capacity, which can result in poor test-taking.

So should our human will learn to turn off this naturally tendency to drift, in an effort to be more productive and finally pursue those dreams? Or, can one actually make use of dreaming, navigating those unanticipated moments wandering? After all, if we weren’t to ever dream, how would we make our dreams a reality?

Some, such as Scott Barry Kaufman, NYU psychology professor and author of Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined, would argue that this state of mind actually helps us better achieve our pursuits. In a recent Scientific American blog, Kaufman wrote: “These rewards include self-awareness, creative incubation, improvisation and evaluation, memory consolidation, autobiographical planning, goal-driven thought, future planning, retrieval of deeply personal memories, reflective consideration of the meaning of events and experiences, simulating the perspective of another person, evaluating the implications of self and others’ emotional reactions, moral reasoning, and reflective compassion...”

While the negatives of a wandering mind seem to outweigh the positives, some dreaming may be positive and some negative. Both are time-consuming. And both are taking you somewhere.

Take, for example, a young teenage girl who dreams of being the next Misty Copeland. She may take dance lessons, follow Copeland on Instagram seeking to emulate her grace, poise, and discipline. She may imagine herself making the same movements, mimicking each step and leap in effort to gain similar skills and strength, and possibly one day become a dancer of such caliber.

Then, take a young married father, less than thrilled with how life has currently rolled out. He’s not necessarily grieving the loss of a failed dream, because he may not necessarily have one. But he peruses social media, frequenting a profile, allowing his mind to wander (however harmlessly at first) with ideas of an individual. Before long he builds on this daydream, imagining what life could look like with this person rather than his wife. Suddenly, what was once black and white in life, appears perfectly gray.

Both dreams require ample time. Both are likely just as heightened in the movie of one’s mind. Yet one can be productive while another can be highly destructive.

Dreaming comes naturally to many. What doesn’t come so natural to some of us is what exactly to do with that dream.

It’s easy for us to live in the figment of our imagination. We can begin to spend so much time dreaming (not doing anything to work towards it) that we can’t distinguish reality from the fantasy and end up sitting on dreams that are essentially nothing more than thin air.

In many ways, we are fully equipped to dream. No doubt, designed to dream big.

But ultimately, we are created with the drive and the sweat glands to bring these dreams to life.

I SS U E 42

DREAMING COMES NATURAL TO MANY. WHAT DOESN’T COME SO NATURAL TO SOME OF US IS WHAT EXACTLY TO DO WITH THAT DREAM.

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METRO

100 YEARS OF LAKELAND ROTARY The Rotary Club of Lakeland celebrates its 100th birthday this year. To mark the occasion the club donated a 17-foot clock, recently placed at Lake Mirror. At its base, plaques were also placed to dedicate the clock in memory of Publix Super Markets founder George Jenkins, the Lakeland Rotary Club’s first Paul Harris Fellow, and another including a dedication and Rotary International’s Four-Way Test.

Representing the Jenkins family at the ceremony was George Jenkins’ sonin-law Barney Barnett.

The clock was manufactured by Verdin Bells & Clocks of Cincinnati.

Carol Barnett Pavilion This year, Lakeland Regional Health welcomes the addition of a new building for women and children, focused on providing a family-friendly atmosphere and specialized pediatric care.

On June 2, 2018, Lakeland Regional Health will hold the grand opening of the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children. A partnership with Nemours Children’s Hospital of Orlando, the opening will provide expanded pediatric specialty care to the children and adolescents in the communities it serves.

“We saw there was an opportunity to create a more modern, state-of-the-art facility to create the ideal healing environment,’’ says Danielle Drummond, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Lakeland Regional Health.

With the new Pavilion, the goal is to reach 90 percent private rooms from the 50 percent private rooms that are currently situated. The new plans will roll out an upgraded natal and intensive care unit, taking the hospital from Unit 2 to Unit 3 to assist more complex issues.

In addition, the new space will serve as a children’s hospital, with amenities geared to providing a family-friendly atmosphere. The grand opening will also unveil 33 beds dedicated to the children’s emergency department. “So this will give children their own unique space; a child-friendly, more playful, less intimidating

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environment for kids coming with emergencies,” says Drummond.

The new affiliation with Nemours will lay the groundwork to provide the patients and families served by Lakeland Regional Health with consistent access to highly specialized pediatric care. Last December, Nemours Children’s Hospital was named one of nine children’s hospitals in the country to make the annual Top Hospital List from the Leapfrog Group. Specialists will offer a full range of services, including consultations, examinations, testing, procedures, and inpatient care for pediatric patients.

GRAND OPENING COMMUNITY CELEBRATION Saturday, June 2, 2018 9 a.m. to noon Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland Children’s activities, music, refreshments, Teddy Bear Clinic, and several special surprises. / Free

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SHED This year, Indie Atlantic Films released its first short film, S H E D, a story of a woman’s struggles to find a deeper purpose within the daily grind of marriage and motherhood. Directed by Andy McEntire, Matt Burch, and score written by Aaron Marsh, the film has gone on to be accepted into this year’s Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Nashville Film Festivals.

Follow on Instagram @iafilms.

AT THE END OF THE DAY A dramatic comedy that explores the tension between the church and the LGBTQ community, At the End of the Day was filmed and produced here in Lakeland. Attend its premiere release at the Polk Theatre on May 18. endofthedayfilm.com

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METRO

Lkld Electric Lakeland Electric offers some of the lowest rates in the state. This season, the company presents a slight increase in rate, preparing for their reserve fund.

Starting April 1, Lakeland Electric customers saw their rates increased after the Lakeland City Commission voted to increase fuel charges from $38.75 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours consumed to $40.75. This $2 a month increase in fuel charge provides a way for the utility to maintain nearly $20 million in their reserve fund, allowing cash to be reserved for cases when fuel costs may drastically change. Lakeland Electric customers can still expect to have some of the lowest electric rates in the state, with base rate and customer charge remaining unchanged even with this increased fuel charge.

Established in 1889, Lakeland Electric was one of the first utilities in the state, and today it’s the third-largest public power utility in Florida. Lakeland Electric continues to remain competitive in the Florida market, striving for ways to remain affordability and stability for its customers through forwardthinking and strategic planning.

HAU SWEET

ULTIMATE MOVE HERO

Giovanna Favilli and Robyn Wilson bring their Nicaraguan and Hawaiian heritages through this artistic, edible expression of shaved ice.

Just ahead of the curve (and the hot summer days), the brand plans to be a mobile pop-up and take these impressive tastes to different cities and events. Stop by Hau Sweet’s upcoming local pop-up on May 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Calexico Bar located at 801 E. Main.

Each year, Two Men and a Truck award an employee for service that is above average.

This year the company awarded DJ Cook for his assistance in housing, feeding, and caring for many drivers and movers without shelter during last year’s hurricane season. With the company for only two years, Cook has made a deep impact in a short amount of time.

VISIT HAU SWEET

hausweet.com

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POWERING

YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE

“As a public utility, serving the community not making a profit - is Lakeland Electric’s ultimate calling. Beyond providing affordable, dependable, and sustainable electric service, Lakeland Electric’s story is about strengthening and connecting the communities throughout the Lakeland Electric territory.”

lakelandelectric.com

Former Fire, Current Fire-Fighter Takes The Masters

METRO

The SEU alumni, born and raised in New England, earned his spot at the Masters this year thanks to his victory in the 2017 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. Last summer, Matt Parziale won his third Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament, paving the way to his premier at the Masters.

He’s the firefighter who played in the Masters, but he is also a former Lakelander who led the Southeastern Fire to a national title in golf back in the day. After Matt Parziale won the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship last fall, he received an invitation to participate in the Masters in Augusta. Leading up to this appearance, the former Southeastern golfer got to play a nine-hole practice round with his golfing hero, Tiger Woods.

Now a firefighter in Brockton, Massachusetts, Parziale was previously a three-time NCCAA all-American at Southeastern with an impressive history with the Fire; finishing fifth at the NCCAA championship as a freshman and as an individual medalist in 2007, leading the Fire to their national title.

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CATAPULT RESOURCES LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS Catapult offers a variety of workshops that are open not only to their members but also to the Lakeland community at large. From Lunch & Learns to Monthly Mentor Sessions, Catapult’s offerings provide entrepreneurs with resources to better equip their businesses.

MONTHLY MENTOR SESSIONS + OTHER WORKSHOPS Monthly Mentor Sessions at Catapult are free one-on-one mentoring sessions that provide both new and growing startups with an accessible form of mentorship with some of Lakeland’s business experts. Pre-registration for a 30-minute time slot is required. Other regular workshop offerings include one-hour Lunch & Learns, two- to three-hour indepth training seminars, and a two-day Boot Camp startup course. To view a schedule of Catapult’s monthly workshops, visit catapultlakeland.com.

legacy securing your

Since 1988 Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A. has been committed to protecting business and family assets through the work of dedicated, caring attorneys. Experience the difference that Lakeland’s most trusted legal team can make.

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METRO

Inspiring the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow

WonderHere founders and co-owners, Jessica Zivkovich (left) and Tiffany Thenor (right), say their studio is a one-of-a-kind place that offers services committed to making learning fun.

Likely your children are itching to break out of school and are beyond ready for summer to commence. Though, the mental break your kids are prepping for coincides with a bit of a mental quandary for some parents (if not a mental breakdown).

While many camps provide activities to keep you sane and your kids occupied, WonderHere offers more than the typical place for your child to go over the summer.

Its series of summer camps engage skills to hone in on their talents and equip the little dreamer in them. And what kid isn’t full of dreams?

We all know equipping the next generation with everything from basic cooking skills to knowledge of computer science in this technological era is a necessity for the worldchangers of tomorrow — and simply for responsible, self-sufficient adults of tomorrow.

Whether your child is good with numbers, a natural in the kitchen, or navigates a MacBook better than you, WonderHere offers a selection of camps to encourage your kids in one or many of the talents they may be developing, and exists to equip them for endless possibilities their future may have in store.

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111 S. Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801 863.698.7782 wonderhere.com Instagram: @wonderhere

W T H E

W E D D I N G I S S U E

P HOTO BY T IF FA N I JO NE S

JUNE / 2018

METRO

WonderHere a learn-and-play studio WonderHere exists to cultivate a love of learning within a child, strives to holistically develop children who are curious, empathetic, community-minded, problem solvers and creative leaders. While their yearly programs specialize in homeschool courses and camps, their summer programs are the perfect camp opportunity for any child!

Ages 3-4 Kids’ Kitchen Camp It’s never too early to start learning culinary basics. Join for a week of edible learning where mixing, measuring, and getting messy are all part of the fun! Campers will learn measurement, addition, subtraction, and listening skills through play.

Mini Mad Scientists’ Camp Not every mad scientist comes with crazy gray hair, a white lab coat, and goggles. In fact, not every scientist is mad. Your little scientists are sure to be anything but mad during this week of fun experiments, memory making, and scientific exploration! Campers will learn force, motion, gravity, matter, mass, volume, measurement, chemistry, and listening skills.

Mini Space Camp During this week of camp, each little learner will gear up for a week of space exploration and experiments!

Campers will learn the basics of outer space, listening skills, and be ready to blast off.

Ages 5-8 Cultural Cuisine Camp f your child has a natural knack for cooking, this is the camp for them.

Children will cook recipes from various countries and regions of the world, and learn about different cultures along the way. Campers will learn the science and math behind cooking (including mathematical operations, measurement, and fractions) and geography.

Coding & Robotics Camp Equipping the next generation with a knowledge of computer science in this technological era is a necessity to ensure that the leaders, teachers, and world-changers of tomorrow have the tools that their future requires. Campers will learn what it means to be a digital citizen, debugging programs, algorithms, programming, and other coding concepts such as loops and events.

Lego STEM Camp Using the American favorite toy LEGOs, learn Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Campers will problem-solve through various STEM challenges using teamwork, critical thinking skills, creativity, and of course… Legos!

Ages 8-12 Business Boot Camp Especially for those young entrepreneurs, this one is for creative children brimming with leadership potential, who can cook up a really great idea. This camp provides each student with the opportunity to launch their very own small business, pitch their idea to a panel of potential investors, and set up shop for WonderHere’s Business Fair where their products and services can make their debut. The experience is sure to equip young leaders to develop new ideas, communication, and leadership skills, while creating a functional, small business. Campers will learn ideation, development of a business plan, budgeting, break-even analysis, website development, marketing, company branding, market analysis, and public speaking skills.

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Minecraft STEM Camp Minecraft is sweeping the nation as one of the most popular kids’ games around. Pair that with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and you’ve got the makings for a dynamic camp full of learning and fun. Campers will learn STEM basics through Minecraft building using teamwork, critical thinking skills, and creativity.

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Storm Chasers Camp Is your little one a thrill seeker? Do they love crazy, weather-related science experiments? Do natural disasters grab their attention? Could meteorology be in their future? These campers will experiment with severe weather, study atmospheric phenomena, and learn the basics of meteorology.

METRO

A Metropolis: Making Headlines In a season when the housing market has been in a lull, activity in Lakeland has been making noise. Beyond just our housing market, the city’s current and projected growth are being noted across the nation.

PROJECTED HOME PRICE GROWTH 2018

PROJECTED WAGE GROWTH 2018

7.36 (3) 4.67% (21)

11.90% (3)

5.03% (49)

FORBES: AMERICA’S FASTEST-GROWING CITIES Highlighted for its proximity to LEGOLAND® and ideal weather, Lakeland makes Forbes’ list of top of the fastest-growing U.S. metro areas: “The Lakeland-Winter Haven community, 35 miles east of Tampa, grew 2.9 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to the Census Bureau. The top 10 included four Florida metro areas and reinforced the notion that Americans love their sun. And the lack of a state income tax.

And their Legos.”

HOME PRICE GROWTH 2017

3.14%

(5)

WAGE GROWTH 2017

JOB GROWTH 2017

1.85% (36)

PROJECTED JOB GROWTH 2018

GMP GROWTH 2017

2.45% (50)

3.99% (29)

1.81% (17) POPULATION GROWTH 2017

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PROJECTED POPULATION GROWTH 2018 1.57% (21)

PROJECTED GMP GROWTH 2018

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Whether you were born and raised here, or are a recent resident, this may not come as much of a surprise: Lakeland is growing.

And in more ways than one.

No doubt big businesses (as we will explore more on page 114) are elevating our job climate and boosting our economy. Universities are expanding our demographic of young people, pooling in students from across the nation and globe, and streamlining working opportunities for them right in the city. And local businesses are learning to evolve with the times, enticing more young professionals and families to travel and plant themselves as official Lakelanders. The aftermath of a larger, more appealing city only seems a natural progression. Especially when we see the dayin and day-out subtleties of developments, expansions, and innovations within what we, often naturally, simply refer to as our small, quaint city — if not hometown.

And yet, across the country, beyond the borders of Florida, Lakeland is being noted not only as an ideal small U.S. city in which to live, but currently acknowledged among nationally recognized business sources and publications as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan cities in the nation. Yes, a metropolis. In addition, in recent months Lakeland has been highlighted for its rich quality of life (including our neighborly grocers and dog-friendly restaurants), jobgrowth, and exceptional job market.

Although, while many continue to refer to our little home of Lakeland, it continues to make headlines for the “very large and densely populated industrial and commercial city” it has become.

If you can’t take our word for it, maybe you’ll take Bloomberg’s.

Highlighted for its proximity to LEGOLAND® and ideal weather, Lakeland makes Forbes’ list of top of the fastest-growing U.S. metro-areas list.

“The Lakeland-Winter Haven community, 35 miles east of Tampa, grew 2.9 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to the Census Bureau.

The top 10 included four Florida metro areas and reinforced the notion that Americans love their sun. And the lack of a state income tax.

And their Legos.”

THE 6 HOTTEST HOUSING MARKETS TO WATCH IN 2018 The criteria: Price and amount of existing homes | New home construction | Local economy and population trends | Median household income

01.

Las Vegas, NV

02.

Dallas, TX

03.

Deltona, FL

04.

Stockton, CA

05.

Lakeland, FL

06.

Salt Lake City, UT

“Lakeland’s allure lies in its location. Just outside of Tampa and Orlando, it’s desirable for cost-conscious commuters… The city is now growing, with a downtown revival and new subdivisions going up outside city limits. New amenities, along with lower prices, are a huge draw for homebuyers.” Median Home price: $224,950

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METRO

T

This past year, Lakeland received recognition from major publications, for more than simply its growth. The quality of life and development of this metro area is quickly becoming beloved nationwide.

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GREW 2.9 PERCENT FROM 2016 TO 2017 COASTAL LIVING 7 of the Country’s Fastest-Growing Cities Are in One Coastal State “The Sunshine State had seven cities appear in this year’s top 25 — more than any other state — and coastal areas from the Gulf to the Atlantic are represented.

Topping the list within Florida was the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area (ranked at #4 overall), a region once known for Mickey Mouse and now a hotbed for young professionals thanks to its projected job and wage growth. Rounding out the list of the fastest growing Florida cities are the metro areas of Lakeland, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale.

SOUTHERN LIVING The South’s Best Grocery Store 2018: Publix Founded in 1930 in Winter Haven, FL /

By Sheri Castle “Picking up ingredients is different from going to the grocery store. One is a quick trip designed for expediency. The other is an outing where we take time to browse, select, and smile at familiar faces. It’s downright neighborly.”

“This type of shopping leads to relationships that bring us loyally back to our favorite stores, even when it means driving by a string of other places stocked with the same products under the same banner. There may be lots of shopping options on the way home from work, but many of us wait to pull into our Publix.

We can say ‘hey’ when we arrive and ‘bye’ when we leave, and someone will say it back. That’s a Southern grocery store.”

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVEL NAMES THE BEST SMALL CITIES IN THE U.S. Best Cities “Our approach to analyzing millions of consumer-generated ratings and reviews to create indexes such as these is an innovative new approach to revealing the characteristics that differentiate one place from another. We’re excited to be working with National Geographic to share this data and its insights with travelers around the world.”

Not only named one of the best small cities in the U.S., National Geographic Travel also named Lakeland the most dogfriendly city.

TAMPA BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL Job growth pushes Tampa, Sarasota, Lakeland Metros up the ranks among best-performing cities “The Sarasota metro ranked No. 6 on the index and the Lakeland metro came in at No. 70. All the local metro areas jumped significantly in ranking since the 2017 index was released.”

RUN THE WORLD: THE TOP 20 RUNNING ROUTES IN AMERICA Under Amour: Map My Run The trail around Lake Hollingsworth is #20 on Map My Run’s list of top places to run in the United States.

“Be entertained on your run by catching a water ski show on this central Florida lake — just keep an eye out for alligators.”

FASTESTGROWING CITIES

BUSINESS AT SEU Bachelor’s

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METRO

OUR FAMILY TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY “One of the most important things my dad, Dr. Mike, taught me was to put the patient first. This will always be our #1 priority. We strive to provide our patients with the highest level of comprehensive dental care and prevention, using the most advanced cutting-edge technology. Our focus is listening to our patients’ concerns and coming up with a solution that best fits their desires. We love our patients, we love Lakeland, and we’d love to meet you.”

Dr. Drew

South Lakeland Office

North Lakeland Office

2410 S. Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803 863-682-1500

1805 Lakeland Hills Blvd.

Lakeland, FL 33805 863-682-1500

AgniniDental.com We accept CareCredit

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May 2018

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Lakeland, Florida

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

Simultaneously with its population, Lakeland’s market has swelled in recent years. Between major employers consecutively listed on Forbes’ Fortune 500 and the new coffee shops that continue to launch on our neighborhood corners, businesses in Lakeland continue to impact our livelihood. Discover how these enterprises, big and small, shape our culture and increase our quality of life.

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PEOPLE

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

While his many ventures appear a seamless success, Chris McArthur shares the journey, and lessons learned, of bringing his businesses into smooth sailing.

Along the Way Written by Kristin Crosby Photography by Dan Austin

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The Business Issue

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INITIALLY, THE DREAM was to be a career military officer. Dedicating all of high school to the ROTC, from a young age Chris McArthur was set on attending the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, and finding his way in the role of leadership in the military.

By his senior year of high school, during the application process and physical, McArthur discovered he was colorblind. “So that automatically disqualified me, and what I didn’t realize beyond that, was that it would extremely limit what I could do in the military,” McArthur says. “So all the high-speed, intelligence, hightechnology stuff, I couldn’t do.” McArthur had

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spent four years working toward this dream which was suddenly snuffed and snatched from him.

At the last minute, McArthur applied to the University of Florida (UF) and was accepted.

Still he couldn’t brush off this deep desire to serve his country. After his freshman year of college, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve.

“It was eye-opening on a lot of levels,” McArthur says. “I think, as young people, we tend to idealize certain things and create in our minds what being in that career will be like.”

Though, in many ways, his time in the Reserve set him up for a baseline of leadership — at least more of a baseline than most 20-somethings ever

“The vision [of Patriot Coffee] is to eventually, in a significant way, aid Armed Forces personnel who’ve been wounded in combat. We’ve launched Operation Gratitude, where we are asking people to nominate a family member who is currently serving, and we’ll send coffee out to their entire unit.”

experience. “I learned so much about overcoming adversity and dealing with stressful situations.

Literally, after recruit training, you can essentially deal with anything. The flipside of it for me was I didn’t like not having my freedom. I didn’t realize how much I would feel restricted by having my relationship with the Marine Corps.”

In 2001, McArthur was sent to recruit training. Immediately thereafter, September 11 hit. By 2003, his unit, the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, was mobilized to go to Iraq. At the front of the invasion force, his unit were the first marines into Baghdad. “At the time of the mission, we knew the objective. It was very straightforward.” The unit arrived in Kuwait to

make preparations for the invasion. “Our mission was to travel from Kuwait to Baghdad as quickly as possible, clearing cities of Iraqi armed forces and creating a route by which a supply train could follow safely. We were essentially traveling from city to city, punching a hole through, so that the supply train could come through. Basically clearing the cities of Iraqi armed forces.

“Ours was an Amtrac unit. They’re tracked vehicles — kind of like a tank — but they’re personnel carriers, so they carry infantry troops.

They have a 40mm grenade launcher and a .50 caliber machine gun on top, and the purpose is to transport infantry.” By the time the U.S. had invaded Iraq, McArthur’s unit had left Kuwait, clearing the way and arriving in Baghdad in just two weeks.

During his unit’s time in Iraq, talk of weapons of mass destruction, and biological and chemical weapons was becoming a normal conversation … something most troops were mentally preparing themselves to face.

“As a 21-year-old kid, you don’t know what the outcome of the situation is going to be. So I had lots of time for introspection. And my dialogue with God was very much bargaining, like, ‘Lord if you get me through this, I’ll spend my life in service to you.’

Within his six-month deployment, McArthur faced a great deal of life-altering scenarios, found himself at the brink of a war, and in the meantime, while in Iraq, turned 21.

“We had MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), basically these packaged military meals. So we had these really terrible brownies that were freeze dried, and they [fellow marines] put like

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Born and raised in Lakeland, McArthur introduced the city to Black & Brew 12 years ago. In 2016, the restaurant celebrated its 10th anniversary with a renovation and rebrand.

CHRISTOPHER MCARTHUR OWNER Black & Brew Coffeehouse & Bistro Patriot Coffee Roasters blackandbrew.com patriotcraftcoffee.com

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“It’s easy in hindsight to say, ‘I wish I had invested more in myself as a leader.’ But everything from that point to this point has made me the person I am today.”

10 matches in it and sang me ‘Happy Birthday.’

And they had, in Kuwait, non-alcoholic beer, so they gave me one of those and Doritos for a birthday present. But it was a big deal because Doritos was like gold. But yeah, I’ll never forget that. Not your typical 21st birthday.”

McArthur returned home to Lakeland, still only 21, uncertain of exactly what his next steps would be. “But I just knew that, whatever it was, I was going to make my life count for something.”

At the time, McArthur, having gone back to UF, declared a major in advertising and sensed his path may next take him to a big ad firm in NYC. “The one hiccup there,” he quickly adds, “was that I had met my wife, Charity.” The couple had dated on and off throughout high school before McArthur left for Iraq, when the relationship was solidified. “Her vision was very different from mine in terms of where she wanted to start a family. She wanted to be near her family, so we decided to stay in Lakeland because of that.”

At the time Charity and McArthur were attending UF, McArthur’s grandfather became ill. “He was a really important person in my life. I wanted to be close by.” So the couple transferred to the University of South Florida, and McArthur began working full time at an insurance company in the sales department. His younger brother Michael was also working at the same company at the time.

“We would have lunch together every day,” McArthur recalls, “and we talked about opening a business together. What would that look like? What are our strengths and how do we complement each other? What do we enjoy doing? And the only thing we knew anything about was the restaurant industry.”

TAKING LAUNCH

Born and raised in Lakeland, the brothers grew up working in the Imperial Lakes Country Club.

McArthur had even spent two years working

Journey of an entrepreneur 50

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2001 McArthur joins the Marine Corps

at KFC. “So we knew just enough about the restaurant business to be dangerous,” he says.

As his family was from Puerto Rico, coffee was naturally at the forefront of their minds. “Also we looked at what was happening around us with Starbucks. And we thought, We can be a local Starbucks.”

The two of them began fleshing out ideas for the shop. Then, in 2004, McArthur was attending his brother-in-law’s wedding, where he met his brother-in-law’s new father-in-law. “He was just kind of taken with the idea that I was a veteran and really felt moved to give me a leg up,” McArthur says. After a few conversations, McArthur had his first investor, which soon led to three more investors, providing the initial capitalization for Black & Brew.

In 2005, construction was underway, and by 2006, McArthur, now 23, and Michael, 21, opened Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro in the heart of downtown’s surging work population.

SHIFTING GEARS

About nine months in, the company saw they had a wide-open opportunity to cater to the lunch crowd. Initially the restaurant introduced a light menu with about four salads and five sandwiches; still they began to see food was comprising about 75 percent of the business. “So we started shifting gears a little bit, investing

2003 He returns home to attend college

2006 He and his brother Michael open Black & Brew

in more equipment in the kitchen, expanding, doing a lot more research for the menu.”

The initial vision for Black & Brew was strictly a coffee house. “Very much in the Starbucks vain,” McArthur says. “A full espresso bar, pastries, and live music was supposed to be a big part of what we were doing. And initially it was.

We had lots of shows, we had lots of big events, we were packing the place out,” McArthur laughs as he notes, “but not making any money.

So we switched gears a little bit.” But this would require another investment for new equipment, and require McArthur and Michael to return to investors for more money. “Which was really humbling,” recalls McArthur, “because we were still losing money at that point.

“That was really a critical point for us, because they were seeing our inexperience. It was showing all over our results.” The investors began to suggest changes for the company, including an upscale 7/11, take-and-bake pizza ... “I mean, they were just throwing it all out on the table,” McArthur says, “because at this point, we probably had $200,000 invested in it.” After much pleading, the investors gave the money.

“And to their credit,” McArthur notes, “it really set our trajectory for where we are today.”

So the company shifted gears. And fast.

“That was kind of a turning point for both of us,” McArthur says, “because we decided that if we were going to be effective restaurateurs, we needed to be effective leaders first. So we really started studying leadership, reading as many books on the subject as we could, and then we were connected to a few people in the community who really started to mentor us.”

One influential individual being Dr. Larry Ross,

2014 McArthur embarks on Patriot Coffee Roasters

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2016 Black & Brew celebrates 10 years in business

who the two had initially hired as a consultant to help the company stop bleeding money.

“That business arrangement,” McArthur says, “eventually developed into a friendship and then a mentor relationship. The time and energy he invested in us was invaluable and played a big role in helping us to turn the corner on our success.”

BLESSED NAIVETE

When things could have gone sour, McArthur never entertained thoughts of ending the business. It wasn’t an option. “I think both of us were so naive, I don’t think it occurred to us that we could fail,” McArthur seems to realize as he speaks, “and, honestly, that’s a blessing because it helped us to focus and not worry as much.”

Though the close relationship and clearly set focus for the brothers certainly helped them jump the first hurdle of finding the most successful track for Black & Brew, about three years in, Michael decided to pursue music full time. And McArthur bought his ownership. “At the end of the day,” says McArthur, “him moving on to pursue music, he’ll tell you was the best decision he’s made. But I also think it was the best thing for our relationship. Existing in that pressure cooker of an environment day in and day out was brutal. Mike has always been my best friend. If he had stayed, I believe that we could have survived it and done well, but I think him being able to pursue what he loves is phenomenal. So I rolled with it and made it work.”

Maybe it’s the marine still in him; you just learn to roll with it. Though McArthur would be the first to credit much of what he learned about leadership to his time in the marines, he’d still be the first to admit, he had a bit more to learn.

“What I didn’t understand was that I needed to

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tailor my leadership to the people I was leading.

That military leadership,” McArthur grins and laughs, “didn’t necessarily universally apply. And, not making excuses for myself, but it was an extremely high-pressure situation.”

Granted, most leaders may easily make that excuse when breaking into a brand-new business, working 80 to 90 hours a week, while losing money.

“I often took out my frustration on my employees, and it showed in terms of our turnover. And, I was a little bit of a tyrant, just to be honest,” McArthur admits. “One day, after hearing me speak down to one of the employees, my brother grabbed me by the shoulders and said, ‘Chris, you’re not Gordon Ramsay. People are not going to work for you for the esteem of working for a great chef. They’re not going to stay.’ Eleven years ago and that has stuck with me.”

In less than 10 years, Black & Brew had reached the kind of Lakeland essential status many strive for, attaining the sweet spot of not only meeting a clear need during lunch hour, but also by offering menu staples that keep customers coming back and creating a reputable team environment that translates more as the Black & Brew “family” rather than “staff.” Still, McArthur knew he wanted to continue to contribute new facets to the city’s culture.

“The motivation was kind of two-fold,” McArthur says. “The first was, how can we continue to be an asset to the city, and how can we improve on what we’re doing?” (It’s one of the company’s core values, and a question they ask themselves at least twice a year at their leadership team meetings.) “It was actually born out of one of our strategy sessions, talking about what we could do to improve the business.”

And secondly, he says, “Because of where we were at in the business, leadership was very strong at Black & Brew. I was having less and less of a role to fill, so I needed something to do.”

By 2014, Patriot Coffee Roasters was underway.

McArthur went to San Francisco to take coffeeroasting classes. He bought a small, half-pound electric coffee roaster and began to practice, just a half pound at a time. “I thought it would be really easy, but it’s insanely complex.” For two months he would return home from a day at Black & Brew, go on the back porch, and begin roasting. “So, lots and lots of trial and error, but I knew what I wanted to do, and I knew I wanted to launch in the farmers market.” He built a trailer for the market, and launched a Kickstarter campaign.

Patriot Coffee reached its goal in 30 days, making close to $16,000 from Lakelanders excited to invest in the of launching of the city’s first coffee roastery. Meanwhile, McArthur spent nine

52

months providing Patriot coffee every Saturday at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Market.

Shortly before the launch at the market, McArthur’s grandfather passed away, and the company was dedicated in his honor. A picture of McArthur’s grandfather, which could be seen on the trailer at each market, now sits above the roaster at the company’s roasting facility on South Florida Avenue, a brick and mortar shared with Born & Bread Bakehouse.

“The vision,” McArthur says, “is to eventually, in a significant way, aid Armed Forces personnel who’ve been wounded in combat. We haven’t been able to do that yet, because we haven’t made any money yet,” he notes with a grin. “The one thing we’ve done to this point is we’ve launched

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Operation Gratitude, where we are asking people to nominate a family member who is currently serving, and we’ll send coffee out to their entire unit. Operation Gratitude has shipped its first shipment this month. Our goal is to select one unit to send coffee to each month.”

In addition to the many local spots serving Patriot coffee now, including The Poor Porker, Hillcrest, etc., Publix recently reached out to McArthur to sell Patriot coffee throughout the state. Publix has a program called Florida Local, basically an end cap that features products made in our state, featured in 355 stores in Florida.

Publix plans on rolling out the program by May, which will significantly increase Patriot’s production in the months to come.

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In addition, Black & Brew prepares to open their second location this fall at the Lakeland Public Library on Lake Morton. “Our goal is to not only be an amenity for library patrons, but to serve as the neighborhood coffee shop for East Lake Morton,” notes McArthur. Customers can look forward to the same Black & Brew experience, with a menu that will be unique to the location and feature a large selection of toasts on Born & Bread sourdough, freshly baked pastries, ice cream sandwiches, and an array of craft sodas in addition to the full coffee menu.

LESSON LEARNED

“I don’t think it occurred to us that we could fail, and, honestly, that’s a blessing because it helped us to focus and not worry as much.”

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In addition to opening and maintaining a successful business and launching new ventures which the city has quickly embraced, McArthur may be just as well known for leading a tightly run business as he is for maintaining an enthusiastic team of employees and low turn-over rate. “Part of it is simply taking care of your people,” he says.

“Listening to them, learning about their dreams and goals for their lives, treating them like the valuable people they are.” Outside of day-in and day-out employee relationships, McArthur holds get-togethers throughout the year for his team, sharing meals at the restaurant and having them to his house for a barbecue.

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Patriot Coffee has been invited to be a part of Publix’s Florida Local program which is featured in 355 of its stores throughout the state.

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With 25 employees at Black & Brew and two currently at Patriot Coffee (and likely more, when they’re in production mode of Publix’s upcoming rollout) McArthur is known as an employer who is readily available to his staff. Not only listening and mentoring, but he has even been known among the team to look out for employees to the extent of paying off a car so it wasn’t repossessed or giving an employee an old car. “We try to leave no doubt in our employees’ minds that we absolutely care about their well-being,” McArthur says, “that they’re not just an employee but a member of our family.

“We treat everyone with respect and dignity.

It’s part of our core values. It’s communicated from day one. Mandy, our general manager who’s been with us for almost 10 years now, embodies that to a ‘T.’ So it’s just been compounding.

We’ve built a strong core of really great people who continue to attract really great people. And it just creates this environment that, yeah, we’re

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here to work, and we expect to work hard, and we have high standards, and there’s a mission to accomplish, but we also love each other and take care of each other. There’s no magical thing that we’re doing. It’s just about treating them well.”

Though McArthur is still quite young and it’s early on his track of business ventures, there are a few things he would change. “It’s easy in hindsight to say, ‘I wish I had invested more in myself as a leader.’ But everything from that point to this point has made me the person I am today. So I’m very excited about where I am today, and the opportunities ahead of me.

Nothing good or really worth having ever comes easy, so I’m grateful for some of those hardships and some of those challenges.

“Do I wish I hadn’t spoken to some of those employees the way I had in the beginning? Sure.

But I think we have to be thankful for those lessons along the way.”

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THROUGH THE GRAY

THE GRAY

THE GREEN THROUGH

Written by Erica H. Sirrine, Ph.D. LCSW Illustration by Anushka van Huyssteen

THE GREEN

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MENTAL HEALTH

The Business Issue

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Stress is universal, and inevitable, no? It arises when life brings surprising challenges, or simply when the realities of life don’t quite match our expectations for it.

Regardless of where it comes from, could it be how we handle stress that makes all the difference?

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It’s quite ironic that I am writing an article on stress management, because I am often forced to reexamine my own reactions to stress when faced with increasing responsibilities or fastapproaching deadlines. Take this article, for example — it had a deadline. And I certainly felt stress at various points. You see, none of us are immune to experiencing stress or anxiety, not even the clinicians who are asked to write articles on stress management. Stress is a universal, human experience that occurs frequently in our lives. What differentiates us from one another are our unique reactions to stress and the ways we cope with or manage our stressors.

Before we journey much further together, let’s define a few concepts. Merriam-Webster defines stress as “strain” or “pressure,” and elaborates that it is “a state of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium.” To translate, we experience tension when we experience change. This explains why even a joyful or exciting life event can cause significant stress, leaving feelings of frustration, anger, or anxiety in its wake. If you’ve ever vacationed with your family, you know exactly what I mean.

Stress arises when the status quo of our lives or routines is challenged — when we are emotionally, cognitively, physically, or spiritually stretched beyond what we imagine possible. But we often forget that stress is a normal response to life strain or pressure. This is not unusual, and experiencing stress does not signal that something is inherently wrong with you.

In fact, quite the opposite is true. And, while stress can certainly be harmful, it does not always have to be. Stress can motivate us to meet a deadline or complete an important task. More importantly, stress can prompt us to make necessary changes in our lives, families, workplaces, and society. You see, growth occurs when we are pushed and challenged, not when we remain stagnant. Stress is often the catalyst for transformation. But, in order to grow from stress, we must first learn to identify our stressors and process them effectively. Now, I realize you may be thinking, She makes it sound so simple, but it doesn’t actually work that way. If this thought is crossing your mind, you are probably right!

You see, herein lies one of the greatest stumbling

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blocks to our progress — the stigma often associated with stress or anxiety.

We rarely see others authentically discuss stress, because most of us have been encouraged to mask our feelings, hide our struggles, and present only our best professional (and always “put together”) selves to the world. When we believe our reaction in any situation is abnormal, we tend to criticize ourselves and others for experiencing it. This usually leads to comparing ourselves with those we perceive to handle things better. We may even begin to believe we are the only ones who have such a heightened response to a situation. This approach can stifle our productivity and spark unwarranted comparison or an undercurrent of competition in the workplace. So, what happens when we feel alone in our stress? How do we handle it?

You can read a plethora of books and articles on this subject offering stress management strategies from relaxation techniques to yoga to self-care. You know these tips. People have shared them for decades, so I will not bore you with more of the same. Instead, I hope to remind you of a few simple truths to refocus your hearts and minds, so you feel better prepared to respond to the stressors that come your way. As a professor, I am acutely aware that assigning a trendy acronym or mnemonic device might improve your ability to remember things. But, I’m not exactly a hashtag queen, so here’s the best I’ve got. I present to you the:

“Simplici-P’s”: Perspective, People, Purpose, Passion, Patience When faced with stress, it is often helpful to reframe our focus. We must seek perspective.

This requires us to move the stressor to its rightful place by recognizing that it is only one aspect of a much larger picture of our lives. A friend of mine spent a season of her life in Wales, which is notorious for its frequent precipitation.

However, it is also famous for its abundantly lush landscape — a direct result of the persistent rain. When she and her family first arrived in the country, they were challenged to “see the green through the gray.” I’m sure it could feel quite

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dismal for someone from the Sunshine State to find herself surrounded by gloomy skies. In order for my friend to enjoy where she was placed — to bloom where she was planted — she needed to focus more on the beauty of her surroundings than the rainy days.

Pursuing light through the darkness in our own lives can help buffer the difficulties we face.

As you know, life is made up of seasons. While some may be sun-drenched, others will be filled with squalls. It is in these challenging seasons, when the thunderstorms are upon us, that we must be intentional to set our sights on seeing the “green through the gray.”

People are created for connection. In a sense, we can wither when we become too isolated or feel alone in our struggles. When stress creeps upon us, it’s common to murmur grumblings like, “I don’t have time to go to lunch with him,” or we may even enter the land of workplace martyrdom by exclaiming, “It must be nice to have time to run for coffee when the rest of us are actually working!” Consider these and other sentiments your body’s way of saying, “Whoooaaaaa! Hold up!” because you are likely just a tad overwhelmed. Further, this illustrates that stress might be prompting you to disconnect from people during a time in which you likely need human connection the most. So, when these voices encourage you to run as far as you can from others, I challenge you to resist the urge to pull away and instead lean in.

Engage in friendships. Spend time with the people you love. Invest in others. Shifting your focus externally, even if only for a few minutes, can help you maintain connection and gather the perspective that is essential for coping with stressors.

I have been blessed with an amazing tribe of friends who provide genuine support and encouragement during life’s ups and downs.

Their frank transparency demonstrates that I am not alone in my challenging experiences. Today, one of them sent me the following message while she was inundated and overwhelmed: “People are driving me crazy. Work is insane.

So, I’m at my desk taking deep breaths telling myself, ‘You’re a strong woman. You’ve already been to hell and back. You’ve got this! Bring it!’”

You see, by sharing her stressors and engaging in truthful dialogue, she removed the stigma of isolation and brought her experience out of the darkness and into the light. This decreased the power that stress attempted to reign over her, and freed her from its captivity. And, I

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could completely relate to the feelings she was conveying as I was also mustering through a particular challenge when her text arrived.

Most importantly, her message made me laugh … out loud. It provided us both the levity and perspective we needed in a moment that seemed agonizing before we connected.

Most of us desire to live and love with a sense of purpose. We may feel called to our work or passionate about the things we pursue in this life. Because of this, we usually want to participate, engage, or make a difference. Living with intentionality requires a considerable amount of effort. For this reason, many of our stressors arise because we are asked or choose to take on responsibilities related to things or people we love or care for deeply. In a way, our passion is often the spark that ignites our eventual stressors. So, we must remind ourselves of these things when we become lost in the weeds of the work. There may be moments when the day-to-day business of your life seems both insurmountable and utterly exhausting. When this happens, it can be helpful to remind yourself of the why — why you are completing the particular assignment or task — and to reengage with your purpose and passion for the work.

Now, can I be real for a second? When my bathroom toilets need to be scrubbed, I do

We rarely see others authentically discuss stress because most of us have been encouraged to mask our feelings, hide our struggles, and present only our best professional (and always “put together”) selves to the world. not find myself particularly passionate about the work. And we don’t always assume a new project or task because we desire to help our supervisor or others. In reality, we often take on an assignment because we are told to do so.

So, how do you adapt to stressors that do not fulfill either your passion or your purpose? It can be both helpful and necessary to pursue your passions outside of your current stressors. For example, do you like to garden or listen to music or paint? Do you enjoy the beach or camping?

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Extended 7am to 7pm Drive Thru and Saturday Hours

I encourage you to carve out opportunities every now and then, even if in small segments, to engage in those pursuits. Momentarily shifting your energy from the stressor to one of your passions will help you gather the perspective necessary to reframe your outlook.

As a society, we tend to expect a lot of ourselves in a very short amount of time, and we don’t demonstrate much patience if we have to wait or if tasks don’t adhere to our anticipated time frames. If you don’t believe me, observe people’s (or your own) behavior in the airport security line next time you travel — enough said. We often desire for things to be accomplished at an impossibly fast rate of speed.

In order to combat this societal expectation, it helps to take an occasional pause and allow yourself time to reflect. This requires considerable patience. To complicate the process further, we have a tendency to self-persecute. Demonstrating patience means that you might give yourself a break when an assignment takes longer than anticipated or when you are not as productive as you expected to be on a given day.

Change is slow and hard. It takes a sustained effort, so most of us do not particularly enjoy it.

Like I mentioned before, stress occurs when our equilibrium is challenged or we are stretched beyond our perceived capacities. Yet, it is in these very moments of pressure that lasting change within occurs. These are the moments where you learn who you are and what you are truly capable of accomplishing. But, we will only gain this understanding to the extent that we are willing to be transparent and patient during the periods of unrest and stress. Practice patience with yourself and others as you learn to adapt to the unchartered waters of change.

You see, as much as we innately long for connection, we live in a society that encourages disconnection to an extent. Or, perhaps it is more accurate to say we learn to keep our connections safely at arm’s length, usually via social media where we edit ourselves to avoid presenting the authentic truth of our daily lives. In a way, this is connectivity fraud. We are led to believe we are connected, when in fact we may only be sharing or receiving half versions of our true selves. Perhaps this is where we learn to conceal our emotions and tell ourselves the lie that we are innately wrong for experiencing a normal, human feeling such as stress.

I often wonder what would happen if we, as a collective humanity, made the decision to stop masking our emotions and start openly discussing

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life’s challenges when they are thrust upon us.

Would we demonstrate more compassion and patience to ourselves and others? Would we feel more connection to and empathy for those around us? Would isolation decrease and inclusion increase?

Ultimately, I wonder if we would cope better with stress if the “Simplici-P’s” were integrated into our lives. Maybe they would aid in the removal of barriers that often lead to our feelings of isolation. Perhaps they would encourage us to regain perspective, seek connection, engage with our purpose, follow our passions, and demonstrate greater patience with ourselves and others. I am not certain of the answer. But I hope you have the courage to embark upon this journey with me and give it a try.

“Stress is often the catalyst for transformation. But, in order to grow from stress, we must first learn to identify our stressors and process them effectively.”

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Beautiful.

Confident. .

You

With an eye for detail and an emphasis on safety and providing the highest level of care, Dr. Kazmier who is board certified in Plastic Surgery, brings to you over 17 years of experience and wants to help you achieve your personal goals. She loves to see the boost of self-confidence her patients exude as a result of achieving these goals. She will work with you to create your individualized plan based on your priorities and desires. She can help you achieve results with surgical and non-surgical treatments.

• Facial Rejuvenation (Facelifts, Eyelifts and Minimally Invasive Browlifts) • BOTOX , Dysport and fillers for the face and hands ®

• Breast enlargement, lifts and reductions • Drain-free tummy tucks • Liposuction • Laser treatments (fractional, spider vein, brown spots, vaginal and labia rejuvenation with diVa ) ®

She is also thrilled to offer the new Fractional Laser treatment - Clear and Brilliant - which is designed to maintain healthy and youthful looking skin with an in-office treatment and no down time.

Dr. Kazmier and her staff want you to have the best results and experience possible and look forward to caring for you.

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Women’s Center 1400 Lakeland Hills Blvd.

Suite B • Lakeland

Bartow 2250 Osprey Blvd.

Suite 100 • Bartow

www.WatsonClinic.com/Kazmier

863-680-7676

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Annalee Mutz + Joel Helm John Kazaklis

The business of building a business from the ground up is no small feat. Particularly for those who have seen their companies through from the very start and successfully passed on a trade and healthy business to the next generation. Few cities see such a flourishing number of multigenerational businesses quite like Lakeland has. Discover the stories of these six different family businesses from inception, and how each has been passed The business building a business from the ground up is no small feat. Particularly down the family lineage of and continues to live on. for those who have seen their companies through from the very start and successfully passed on a trade and healthy business to the next generation. Few cities see such a flourishing number of multigenerational businesses quite like Lakeland does. Discover the stories of these six different family businesses from inception, and how each has been passed down the family lineage and continues to live on.

Written by Photography by

legacy

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The Business Issue

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“When I was seven years old, I had my own stool to be able to watch surgeries. It was normal for me spend a heck of a lot of time here,” says Dr. Robert (Bert) Houghton, owner and medical director of Cleveland Heights Animal Hospital.

The clinic, a 10,000-square-foot facility located in South Lakeland, has been in existence longer than Dr. Houghton has been alive. Houghton’s father, Tom, also a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, moved from Miami to Lakeland in 1972. Soon thereafter, Tom and his wife, Debbie, agreed to purchase the hospital from the clinic’s founder, Dr. Jim Daniels. Not long after that, the Houghton family began to grow. They had a girl and three boys, in that order: Jennifer, Mike, Sam, and finally, Bert. The entire family embraced their father’s profession, but especially Bert. “I grew up in a house that was very animal saturated. Steeped in a world with no separation between work and life.”

As that seven-year-old watching surgery, Bert picked a favorite aspect of his father’s job. “I was always excited when my dad would perform a C-section. Everyone there, me included, was handed a puppy. Sometimes, they’re not even awake from anesthesia. Growing up, I got a chance to do that countless times. It was pretty cool.”

As his siblings grew older, Bert was the sole Houghton who followed in his father’s footsteps. The other boys were focused on business and the law, and Jennifer found her calling as a teacher. After graduating from George Jenkins, Houghton chose Auburn University to study zoology. Around that time, a long-time friendship was blossoming into something more. He and his wife, Jackie, both attended the same elementary school, though she was a grade behind Bert. In middle school, Jackie spent an art class working on a masterpiece — an “I love Bert” sign she secretly posted in her locker.

“At that point, I don’t think he knew I was alive,” says Jackie. “We weren’t at the same school, just attending the same youth group at First Presbyterian Church.” Later, after they began dating, Jackie worked at the animal hospital, and joined Bert at Auburn. In late 2003, 20 years after Jackie’s first declaration of love, they were married.

Bert laughs, “You’ll have to ask Jackie if it’s OK to print that.”

The newlyweds spent their first year of marriage in Grenada, with Bert finishing his DVM from St. George’s University. After a clinical year at North Carolina State, he interned at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine teaching hospital. At the time, he was considering further school, possibly pursuing a specialty. However, on February 6, 2006, life changed.

Tom was home visiting Polo, Missouri, where he was born. Here, he owned short-horn cattle, housing them on adjacent farms owned by his parents and brother, Dean.

While working with a piece of equipment on Dean’s farm, the elder Dr. Houghton was killed. He was just 60.

“I kind of always knew this was the trajectory for me,” says Houghton about coming home to be part of his dad’s practice. “Obviously, Dad’s passing accelerated things.”

While the family clung together after their sudden loss, their business was aided by some unlikely help — competing veterinarians.

The elder Dr. Houghton, known for helping other veterinarians during times of need, was so respected in both medicine and the community that his competition showed up to help in the aftermath of his accident. “I am borne out of a community of veterinarians who work together to provide good development of veterinary medicine,” says Houghton, “and that seems to be the case even today, with so many doctors committed to help promoting each other.”

Soon, Houghton was back in Lakeland, finished with school and ready to practice. “I kind of got thrown into the business of practice ownership,” he says.

Today, the business continues to grow. The hospital employs a staff of 30 but works hard to maintain the values put in place when Tom ran it. “We still function off the same ideals my dad put in place, staying grounded in his ethos, making sure the feel of the practice doesn’t change.

Our growth is a byproduct of doing good work and taking care of people and their animals well. I look back at the practice, from when I was a kid … it feels a lot like it does today.”

The Houghtons’ family continues to grow as well, proud parents of two cats, two dogs, and three small children.

Their oldest, consequently, is seven. When asked if she has her own stool, Bert laughs. “No, but she does sit in my ophthalmology chair, running the smoke evacuator while we use the cutting laser.”

C. cleveland heights animal hospital Written by Joel Helm

3 7 1 0 C L E V E L A N D H E I G H T S B LV D LAKELAND, FL 33803 863.646.2995 P E T H O S P I TA L . C O M

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John Curls Sr. (pictured) chairman of the board, took over Barney’s Pumps, first founded by his father, Barney Curls. His son John Curls Jr. is CEO, and his son Matt Curls works in sales.

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“Nobody ever said being a parent was easy. Nobody said being a child was easy, either.”

John Curls Senior, chairman of the board of Barney’s Pumps Incorporated, has experience with both. Curls Sr. has two sons, John Curls Jr. and Matt Curls, both of whom he’s brought into the business. His father, Barney, started the business in 1950. “My dad was one of the tremendous success stories out of World War II,” Curls Sr. says. “Tom Brokaw called them ‘The Greatest Generation.’ Lakeland had several [success stories]: Jenkins Lincoln/Mercury, Linder, Harrell’s. My dad started Barney’s Pumps.”

The business, like so many other small business success stories, was born out of Barney Curls’ uncovering an unserved market. “There were no other local pump distributors that did application work. All application work was done in the factories in the Northeast.”

Application work turned out to be a successful model to bring local. Over the next 30 years, Barney Curls steadily grew the business. “In his day, there were no people with any pump knowledge selling pumps,” says Curls Jr. “The whole distribution model had not evolved to where it is today. The only pump experts worked for the manufacturers. To better serve customers, Barney started learning, hiring, and teaching salesman about pumps so we could be local experts and apply the right solutions.”

By the early 1980s, Barney Curls decided he wanted to retire, hiring a succession of presidents. “None of them exhibited a pure absolute commitment of ownership,” Curls Sr. says. “They had not gone through the struggle; they had no dog in the hunt.” At the time, Curls Sr. was working in the industry, but not for his dad. “I did not want to work for my dad,” Sr. jokes, “so I didn’t. I agreed to buy Barney’s Pumps.” In 1982, Curls Sr. bought BPI with 20 employees, generating $3 million in revenue. Revenue, Sr. soon found out, doesn’t equate to profit.

“I didn’t have the money to buy (BPI), so I agreed to a long-term payout.” The Curls agreed to a sales price of $2.5 million over the course of 10 years. “Come to find out, the company had $2,500 in the bank, and a $750,000 debt to People’s Bank of Lakeland.” To make things worse, the note stated that any time Barney Curls did not have majority interest in BPI, the note would be called.

“Three months after I bought it, they called it. I didn’t have seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

What Barney Curls didn’t know, and what John Curls Sr. was just then learning, was the succession of presidents had run the business for cash for themselves. “We had three million in inventory on the books. All that inventory was obsolete. We couldn’t sell it. And we had twenty-five hundred dollars.”

Curls Sr. had to have a tough conversation with his dad.

“I went to Dad, and I said, ‘Do you know what this is? It’s bankrupt. And Dad came and looked.” Barney Curls immediately cancelled the note he had with his son. “It was too late for me to go back to where I was,” says Sr. “I told Dad, ‘Let me see if I can save it.’

“Paul Norris [now of Bank of Central Florida] was brand-spanking-new at SunTrust, when I went to him and said, ‘I gotta have help.’ And they agreed to take a chance on us.”

Ten years of $80,000 payments later, Curls Sr. and Barney’s Pumps were in a completely different position. They’d acquired another pump manufacturer, sold

nearly all their obsolete inventory, and more than doubled in size. “Paul Norris came out here for a barbecue lunch, and burned the mortgage note. Dropped it out on the loading dock. It was a celebration.”

Not long after that celebration came another major addition. In 1994, John Curls Jr. joined the company his grandfather started and his dad resurrected. “I was working for GE making parts for nuclear weapons,” says Curls Jr. “My dad called me and said that the employees wanted to buy the company. If I didn’t come back, then he was going to sell it. So, I came back.”

By the time his son joined his blossoming company, Sr. had taken it to new heights. The company was now generating $10 million in revenue with close to 80 employees — a far cry from $2,500 in the bank and $750,000 in debt.

One of the things Jr. hoped to bring to the table, however, was a push towards bringing BPI into the modern world.

“Coming back from GE to BPI was like a time warp. I was doing 3D modeling and finite element analysis. Barney’s had one computer.”

Despite being the grandson of the business’ founder and Sr.’s son, Jr. had to prove himself when he arrived. “I started as an application engineer, making $36,000 a year, which was less than I was making at GE.” Curls Jr. went from an application engineer into sales, and from sales to sales management, proving himself along the way. “There’s nothing in life more rewarding than seeing your children succeed,” says Sr. Succeed, he has. Today, John Curl Jr. is Barney’s Pumps’ CEO, overseeing a new generation of leaders at the company. The company’s long-term President, Greg Riching, recently retired. Riching’s daughter, Kate Marshall, is the company’s CFO. Robbie Pearce, a former BPI applications engineer himself, climbed through company ranks and was named Greg’s replacement. “You need to homegrow your people,” Sr. says. “Now I’m fixing to turn it over to John. He’s going to be the leader. People want to know we have a succession plan.”

“Barney started it. My dad grew it,” Jr. says. “I want to take Barney’s to the next level.”

“It’s been fun,” says Sr. “Nobody said being a parent was easy. Nobody said being a child was easy. But in the end, to see that work … what else would you ever strive for in life, other than seeing your children succeed?

barney’s pumps Written by Joel Helm

2965 BARNEYS PUMPS PLACE LAKELAND, FL 33812 863.665.8500 BARNEYSPUMPS.COM

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Dr. Andrew Agnini (pictured) works alongside his father and founder, Dr. Michael Agnini; brother, Dr. Matthew; and sister, Ashley, who is going to Maryland to also follow in her brother’s footsteps.

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In 1979, Agnini Family Dental opened its first office near the Southgate Shopping Center. Side by side, Dr. Michael Agnini and his wife, Donna, worked hard to develop and grow the legacy of their business, as well as family. Along with providing comprehensive dental care and prevention, the Agninis today still continue to cultivate a business that serves people and emphasizes the feeling of family.

In 1993, the Agnini Family Dental office relocated across from Tiger Town. About a decade later, the Agnini sons, Andrew and Matthew, both graduated from the University of Maryland and moved back to pursue their careers alongside their parents. The offices were still at this location during the time Andrew and Matthew decided to jump into the business, which was helpful but also made for crowded conditions during a time that the practice was continuing to grow.

“So we were all three working in there, and we quickly learned after three weeks that wasn’t going to work. So we expanded into a satellite office a few blocks away and kind of grew into that,” says Dr. Andrew Agnini. A few years later, the family acquired an office on the south side of Lakeland as well as property where their current location sits. “We built a real state-of-the-art office there and closed down our satellite office,” Andrew says.

Today, Agnini Family Dental is filled with many members of the family. In addition, Dr. Michael and Donna’s daughter, Ashley, joined in 2009 and is heading to Maryland to follow in her brothers’ footsteps.

“I always knew I was coming back,” says Andrew. He’d always wanted to practice medicine, but says, “I made the decision to do dental after a mission trip with my dad and seeing the impact it can have on people.” Around this time, Andrew’s father had a rebirth of excitement for the dental field. “He made a decision to get rid of some of the old techniques and forced himself to learn new technology,” says Andrew. This innovative resurgence is evident throughout their newest facility on Lakeland Hills Boulevard.

Even with all the changes and additions, everything goes back to the Agnini parents’ original vision of being a family practice. “As we grew, we pressed hard to keep that vibe; knowing the patients and caring about them, not just caring about their dental needs,” says Andrew. “We still keep that feeling in the office. As we grow, things are going to be different, and I think we’ve adapted to it really well.”

Alongside the quality of dentistry that the practice provides, Agnini Family Dental is also successful because of their commitment to their philosophy of being family-oriented. As always, working with family does not come without its challenges, but Andrew has witnessed first-hand the great benefits from it too. “You get the best of the best, and the worst of the worst,” he says.

“People’s feelings are going to get hurt. It’s challenging at times, but all of that gets outweighed by the fact that there’s no better comfort than knowing that your family is there looking out for you.”

A. agnini dental

Written by Annalee Mutz

1 8 0 5 L A K E L A N D H I L L S B LV D LAKELAND, FL 33805

2 4 1 0 S . F L O R I D A AV E N U E LAKELAND, FL 33803

863.682.1500 A G N I N I D E N TA L . C O M

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highland homes Written by Annalee Mutz

3 0 2 0 S . F L O R I D A AV E N U E LAKELAND, FL 33803 863.619.7103 HIGHLANDHOMES.ORG

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Bob Adams and his cousin both had aspirations as allstar collegiate athletes. “We thought we were hot-shot basketball players and that we could play ball,” reflects Adams, founder of Highland Homes. Adams’ cousin ended up playing for Florida State University. Bob on the other hand? “I didn’t quite make it,” he jokes. But he did make it in other endeavors. Bob would go on to follow his innate entrepreneurial spirit, a strong one that would lead him to having his business, Highland Homes, ranked as one of the top 100 largest builders in the nation in Builder Magazine decades later.

Originally a North Florida boy, Adams earned an MBA at the University of North Carolina and then took a direct commission in the Army. After spending three years as an Army officer, Adams would make the trek back to Florida eventually working for one of his mentors, Jimmy Sikes, at Florida Tile. This is where Adams would meet his business partner, and they would venture off to start a business of their own. “We had a little mobile-home operation that we converted into a modular home, which would then segue into a building in about 1971 called Sunstate Homes.”

This is where Adams’ son, Joel, would first encounter his father’s strong entrepreneurial nature. “My son grew up with me in Sunstate,” says Adams. In 1996, he and his business partner closed down Sunstate Homes and formed Highland Homes. This is when Joel would have his first hands-on experiences in the business including helping mow lawns and filling jobs as was necessary. Today, Joel is a vital part of the business. “He’s been a huge part of our success,” says Adams.

This dynamic father-and-son duo has complemented each other in a number of ways. “We have a lot of similar traits. A lot of comparable skills. A lot of opposite skill sets that complement the business,” Joel says. Growing up around his dad’s former business, Joel had a basic understanding of how their roles would function whenever he joined the business. “He focused more on sales and marketing, and I focused more on operations,” Joel says.

“Joel is more of a true CEO, as opposed to me being entrepreneurial,” says Adams. “He’s a better delegator than me.

“It’s been complementary and empowering,” Joel adds.

Since 1996, Highland Homes has seen tremendous growth. Since their establishment, they have built over 7,000 homes in Florida. They were also ranked the #5 largest home builder in Tampa Bay for two consecutive years and the #80 largest builder in the nation in Builder Magazine’s Builder 100 list in 2017.

The duo believes that what’s propelled their business has been their ability to integrate some of their personal values into the workplace. “My dad’s always been a successful, hardworking, and driven entrepreneur. My earliest recollections of him have been in that environment. So that’s why we’ve been successful,” says Joel.

As father and son, they believe this business endeavor has been a rewarding one but not without its challenges. However, they are both thankful for the opportunity to journey through it together. “It’s rewarding to me to watch Joel emerge and become a predominant force in the business,” says Adams. “The fact that he is my son, too, is just another positive.”

Fox Plumbing was first established in 2000, but the heart behind this business was originally developed many years before in a 12-year-old boy who admired his grandfather. “My grandpa was a plumber; he had his own company. My father was a plumber, and he had his own company. In short, that’s what led me here,” says owner and founder of Fox Plumbing, Richard Fox. Fox also has many extended family members who are in the plumbing industry. “We’re just a plumber family,” he says. Originally from Cocoa Beach, Fox has called Lakeland home for a little over 40 years.

When Fox was barely a teenager, his parents decided he would live with his grandfather during the summers as a means to ease a rough economical time for the family.

That’s where Fox first encountered plumbing as a profession. His grandfather was a plumber, and Fox would help with jobs at the age of 12. “That’s just where I started to like the job,” he says.

Fox decided to make a career out of this childhood nostalgia. After working for a number of plumbers in Lakeland, he decided to go off on his own. “I decided I didn’t want to work for a plumber; I wanted to be self-employed.

It’s just my nature,” says Fox. So in 2000, he launched Fox Plumbing. “I went out on my own with no money.

I bought a used pickup truck at Bartow Ford.” Although self-employment was the ideal for Fox, it did not come without its hardship. “We struggled to make it through.

At first, we were doing real good … but [at one point] we lost about everything.” Yet, he stuck it out. “I had six trucks and lost all but one.” However, Fox Plumbing did see it through and is, today, a thriving business with five trucks and six employees.

Among those six employees are Fox’s sons, Joshua and Tyler. “Joshua, my oldest son, is going to take over the business,” Fox says. Although they both had drastically different educational pursuits, Joshua and Tyler’s journey to the family business has very similar undertones as their father’s. Joshua has a degree in nuclear medicine, and Tyler, the youngest son, has a master’s degree in criminal justice. Yet, both sons saw the life their father created from the family business and desired the same for their own. “They just decided they wanted to continue the family business,” Fox says.

With one of Fox’s stepsons and Fox’s brother also working for the business, there are a total of five relatives in the company. There are for sure pros and cons when it comes to a multi-generational business. “It’s a family business, and we enjoy it,” Fox says. “It can also be rough having family work for you. They understand that I’m their father and brother, but they don’t always understand that I’m also their boss.”

However, this tension is what gives Fox Plumbing the dynamic of a business that continues to thrive. “In the office, they fight me every day. But it’s productive fighting,” Fox says. With so many members of the same family on the same team, everyone values the name of the business and the reputation it holds in the community.

Because of this, everyone strives to work with excellence and provide a service that the Fox family can be proud of.

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fox plumbing Written by Annalee Mutz 5811 FLOY DRIVE LAKELAND, FL 33810 863.622.1267 RICHARDFOXPLUMBING.COM

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C. crowder brothers Written by Annalee Mutz

2 6 3 3 S . F L O R I D A AV E N U E LAKELAND, FL 33803 863.683.6702 ACEHARDWARE.COM

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Bruce Phillips’ calling into the hardware business was one that would take an entire childhood to truly discover.

At four years old, Phillips was first exposed to the hardware business, helping his dad around the store in Winter Haven. At age six, he was handing out yardsticks at the front registers at, what was at the time, the new Lakeland Crowder Brothers.

After attending Polk Community College, Phillips and a few of his friends decided to move to Cocoa Beach. It was there that he worked his way up to an assistant manager position at the Cocoa Beach Ace Hardware at age 21.

By age 23, “It was solidified that hardware was what I was born to do with my life,” Phillips says.

In 1990, he started traveling back to Lakeland on the weekends to help his dad manage the store. “I was very blessed to have had the opportunity to work side-by-side with my dad in the hardware store for over 25 years.”

His family’s hardware history dates back multiple generations. His great-grandfather and grandfather owned and operated I.W. Phillips & Co., a hardware wholesale company. His dad worked for this same business, switching to more of the retail side of the business in 1972. Phillips’ Uncle Dubby stayed in the wholesale business when Ace Hardware purchased the assets of I.W. Phillips in the 1970s; he then became the warehouse inventory controller for the Ace Hardware Tampa warehouse. Being a fourth-generation Florida hardware businessman, “I was born with hardware in my blood,” says Phillips.

However, his love for the retail industry was not solely developed through his father’s side of the family. “I also get a lot of the ‘retail genes’ from my mother’s side of the family.” Being the only grandfather Phillips knew, his mom’s father owned and operated Duncan Bros. Tire Company, a chain of retail and commercial service tires in Virginia.

Since the beginning, Crowder Brothers has strived to provide quality in every aspect of its store, from providing top-notch customer service to quality products to a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience. He is thankful for his family’s long and rich history with the hardware industry. “Being a functional and contributing component of our community is vital to our success,” Phillips says. “[There’s] a great sense of pride in continuing a historical tradition of family involvement in the hardware industry; [a] longing to carry on that tradition.”

LET ME SHOW YOUR FAMILY THE WAY HOME.

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THE ART OF INTELLIGENT BANKING

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The Business Issue

STYLE

Move the needle [v.] To make a change that can be detected. It is often the smallest changes that can turn the most impactful results.

Discover how a few bright basics, studded with a some subtle yet vibrant accents, can brighten your work week and revive your professional wardrobe.

Written & styled by Abdiel Gonzalez Photography by Dan Austin

Hair styling by Jenny Williams Makeup by Alicia Harris

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Models by BMG Models: Elizabeth Salyer Jamael Medlock Jeremy Wubker

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WE ARE CONSTANTLY CHALLENGED with the age-old question of how to look stylish, modern, and in season for work, while feeling confident in as little time as possible. How dressy is too dressy? How casual is too casual? Can I achieve this standout look in minutes and be able to carry it into my off-the-clock life duties?

We’re in the fast-paced age of convenience, and our everyday life demands quick versatility.

We want more time, with little compromise of the end result. Let’s face it, the rules and roles of the fashion game have changed because of this, with the exception of the iconic pieces and classic silhouettes that have walked the hallways in the business world for decades.

Most of us aren’t required to be in a threepiece suit for work; we can thank the casual corporate culture of the modern startups of the new millennium for that. So, dressing for work can be as easy and fun as getting ready for a Saturday dinner or happy hour with the guys.

Start there as the foundation of your look; this sprinkle of casual shouldn’t dominate, but rather just add a hint of flavor.

Next, build upon this with your ageless wardrobe staples, like a blazer, tailored trousers, bow tie, or a timeless black pump. Don’t be afraid to play with

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print and color to add a dash of trendiness. Color is a good way to keep your dressiest of pieces a little more casual and playful, but tends to be a more difficult feat to master.

For this casual “work to play” look, think in layers, and keep the beauty and grooming factors easy to transition as well. This season, which is that tricky in between of spring and summer, we are seeing a lot of bright-colored solids paired with solid, earthy neutrals like white and nude, with patterns kept at a minimum. This modern minimalist approach to color and silhouettes is the perfect balance for your casual business workplace and makes it much easier to attack in your closet.

As usual, proper fit is key, especially for work, and should always be the deciding factor.

What you wear to work shouldn’t be boring.

Instead, it should be a place to show the “Friday night fun” you in a more polished and professional way. Once you conquer the art of modern business casual wear, you’ll thank yourself with all the heads you’ll turn and the time you’ll save.

We’re in the fast-paced age of convenience, and our everyday life demands quick versatility.

We want more time, with little compromise of the end result.

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blazer Dillard’s

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Most of us aren’t required to be in a three-piece suit for work; we can thank the casual corporate culture of modern startups of the new millenium for that.

A little dash or color or pop of print can revitalize the professional basics. Jackets or work staples in vibrant shades make for great statement pieces to invest in.

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What you wear to work shouldn’t be boring. Instead it should be a place to show the “Friday night fun” you in a more polished and professional way.

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TASTE

The Business Issue

Written by Kristin Crosby + Emily Johnson Photography by Tina Sargeant

THE BUSINESS OF

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Our Taste features have long highlighted the array of flavors, tastemakers, and restaurants that keep a city fed and fueled. Far beyond meeting a daily necessity, the Lakeland food scene has enlivened our palates, comforted our souls, and some — as they should — have become solid staples in our weekly routines, creating a need in us we never realized we had.

In just the past decade the city’s taste options, cafes, and bakeries, from downtown to the outskirts of Mulberry, have grown rapidly, but there are a handful of established, mainstay restaurants here as well. Meet the owners, some born and bred in Lakeland and others who traveled the globe, who have established their businesses here. From pizzas to tacos to eclectic American tastes, discover the origins of restaurants that have truly paved the way for the business of food in Lakeland.

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Palace Pizza p.96

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PA L A C E P I Z Z A MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED the iconic pizzas and pasta dishes of Lakeland’s own Italian gem, Palace Pizza. Here you will discover how, through the years, it has become a downtown landmark.

Marking its beginnings in 1997, Palace has served downtown Lakeland for over 20 years as an authentic pizza joint that feels as if it could be home. Salvatore and Patrizia Schiano Moriello have definitely made Palace Pizza their home, bringing their heritage formed in Naples, Italy, to our city. Their son Giovanni says that he and his his family probably spend more time at the restaurant than at their own homes, which is how they stay successful, but he also shares that it is one of the hardest challenges to owning a restaurant.

In the mid-’90s when the family moved their livelihood to Central Florida, they bought their current building, formerly home to Palace Theatre owned by a Mr. Pierson. At the time of its opening, Palace Pizza was surrounded by a downtown that looked very different from today.

Giovanni reminisces on his commuting days from Kissimmee to Lakeland, worried because they did not know how business would treat them. He talks of how they’d be lucky to have

pa la c e p i zzad own town . c o m | 1 1 4 S . Kent uc k y Avenue

Salvatore & Patrizia Schiano Moriello

“Other cities are either too big to care for you, too small to be able to care, or they just don’t care. But the community here is amazing.”

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six tables full at the restaurant, yet now they are expanding beyond realms the family could have even imagined.

Today, they offer catering, have operated their food truck for several years now, and are looking to expand by opening up more space.

Their current location has remained consistent since its 1997 opening, but Giovanni says they want to extend the restaurant because it was built back then for a certain flow of people, and because they have so many customers, they’d like to increase space and what they offer.

When asked what brought this transformation to their business, from six tables to sold out, Giovanni says it was the events and other operating businesses surrounding the Palace Pizza area. The more places downtown got in its economic shift, the busier they got.

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When asked, “Why Lakeland?” Giovanni says, “I am nothing but grateful for the community here. The community is tight. It’s unlike any other city I’ve ever been to. Other cities are either too big to care for you, too small be able to care, or they just don’t care. But the community here is amazing. What the city does for people in this town, to me, is incredible.”

Palace has maintained the same approach, recipes, and passion for 20 years now. We suppose that’s what makes it a must-eat anytime you find yourself downtown on a First Friday, or Saturday afternoon Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market run. Perhaps the simplicity of their pizza, no matter the changes that will come with this local favorite, is what keeps them authentic and true to their Italian heritage.

Dinner Is Served!

Ribs Served nightly!

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Since its inception, Patio850’s Chef Patrick RÊne Shaefer and Manager Lisa Shaefer have delivered a curated menu through a blend of cultural tastes, set in a romantically lit yet lively atmosphere.

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PAT I O 8 5 0 p at io850. c om | 850 S . Te n n e sse e Ave n u e

TUCKED AMONGST ITS NEIGHBORS on Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Patio850 has served the Lakeland community for years, satiating the tastes of locals and elevating Lakeland’s culinary scene. A locale that might be confused at times with just another house on the block, Patio850 is quickly recognized for its romantically lit patio full of customers enjoying live music, meats, flatbreads, cheeses, and wine.

Chef Patrick Réne Schaefer, curator and current chef, felt the town needed a higherend restaurant that sang with artisan foods and drinks collected and inspired by the cultures of our city, blended with the cultures of other cities around the world — which is what we can thank him and manager, Lisa Schaefer, for today.

The beginnings of Patio850 came in 2012.

Chef Patrick knew of the businesses that flourished in Orlando and Tampa, and how many people would commute to or from those places seeking good food, entertainment, and wine, yet they desired to keep the community right here in Lakeland, stretching the culinary levels that preceded them. Chef Patrick talks of the desire he had to develop such a place but did not agree that it had yet been established, so he and his coworkers at the time decided their best option would be to open a place of their own that they would design and articulate for themselves and their collective creative minds.

Chef JJ, an executive chef elsewhere and friend to Patrick, is of the opinion that what has kept Patio850 running is the community involvement Chef Patrick and Lisa have pulled through their doors. All of their musical decisions have resided in local artists and performers, including some of whom who have even gone off to Nashville that had originally started in Lakeland’s Patio850.

Chef Patrick Réne Schaefer

With this local entertainment, they have been able to acquire lasting relationships within the city.

Alongside their local entertainment, daily glasses of well-chosen wine, and ever-evolving menu made with locally sourced ingredients, they have begun transitioning into a “dining destination” for the Lakeland community and those surrounding to partake in and enjoy. This spring, they hosted a Vegan and Vegetarian Wine Dinner that carried out six beautifully plated and tasteful courses to the eager Patio-goers.

Whether you’re looking for your next romantic dinner spot or a Sunday-afternoon cheese board, come and experience Patio850’s unique atmosphere and ever-evolving culinary offerings.

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LAKELAND’S PREMIER COFFEE HOUSE & CASUAL EATERY

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B AY S T R E E T B I S T R O bayst reetbistr o. n et | 21 1 E . B ay S t r e e t

SINCE 2010, BAY STREET BISTRO has brought a blend of Italian and French cuisine to Lakeland’s downtown dining scene. Owner, James Rawlins, talks of the Antiquarian, where he worked until that restaurant was sold in 2006.

In 2010, Rawlins ended up buying the building, cleaned it up, and opened the restaurant on Bay Street, his first to own for himself out of his many years of bartending and working at restaurants around the United States.

Rawlins talks of his background in the culinary arts as being mostly French and his chef, Kevin Smith, as having mostly an Italian background, which is where the menu and wine list of the Bistro is inspired. When they first opened Bay Street, Rawlins says, their menu was very Italian, but eventually they went more towards French cuisine, which makes their restaurant unique to our city.

Rawlins says Bay Street Bistro prides itself on using very good food products, which allows their selections to be higher-end. They don’t serve a-la-carte; rather customers receive a full meal consisting of an entrée, starch, vegetable, and a choice of soup or salad. The menu is approximately 80 percent set, with the remaining 20 percent changing occasionally based on request or various items being in season. If you enjoy meatloaf, you’re in luck, as it has returned to the menu after being gone for some time. An upcoming change for them will be their wine list, where you can find more French, Italian, and some American wines to enjoy.

Marking his beginning in history studies during his undergrad, then in environmental instrumenting, Rawlins eventually fell into the restaurant business when he spent time working as a bartender in Hawaii. A few years

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later, he and his friend Charlie Mondale were able to put some money together and open Bay Street Bistro.

When asked how he keeps the bistro running, Rawlins responds that because he doesn’t do much marketing, his business can remain the small hidden gem that it currently is, figuring it would be better to put their resources in the quality of food instead and build their small and reliable customer base from there.

Bay Street Bistro is open five nights a week for dinner, and that is what Rawlins thinks

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has worked best for their restaurant style and to be able to enjoy his own family outside of restaurant life. He talks of how it is easy in the restaurant business to let it overtake your every waking hour, but how he has managed the Bistro now is fitting himself, his staff, and his customers as well.

The bistro definitely reflects Lakeland’s small town atmosphere with its 20-some tables tucked away on a corner of Bay Street, making you feel as if you walked upon a little café somewhere in quiet France.

Owner James Rawlins

With its 20-some tables tucked away on a corner of Bay Street, you feel as if you walked upon a little cafĂŠ somewhere in quiet France.

Tapatio’s p.104 Based on family recipes, Tapatio’s serves Mexican food in its most authentic form.

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TA PAT I O ’ S t a p a t i ostogo . co m | 73 4 E . Me m o r ia l B o u l eva r d a n d 6 64 5 S . F lo r i d a Avenue

Owners Jesus and Sandra Vargas

TAPATIO’S HAS BEEN LAKELAND’S go-to spot for authentic Mexican food for the last 24 years. Jesus Vargas, from Mexico, initially founded the business with a partner, opening their first location on Memorial Boulevard. They quickly found their niche in an area that at the time was heavily populated with barbecue and fast-food chain options.

Not long after the launch of the restaurant, however, the partnership ended. Vargas turned to those he knew would best come through as a vital asset to the team and business partner in potential future expansion — his family.

He reached out to his sister-in-law, Sandra, and brother, Rene, to join the company and help at the original location on Memorial. The Vargas family had grown up in the restaurant industry. “They had a restaurant in Mexico,” Sandra says. The family sold from their home so the children grew up learning homestyle restaurant cooking in the very literal sense of the word.

Sandra and Rene joined Vargas at the first restaurant and worked together as a family for

12 years. When Vargas invited Sandra to expand the Tapatio’s brand, they soon began exploring the next location where they could replicate the business of their popular restaurant. By 2006, Tapatios had opened its second restaurant, this one on South Florida Avenue.

Famous for its extensive menu — there are over a hundred items — and affordable prices, the two restaurants serve tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and much more, including many family recipes. The southside restaurant has the same authentic items as the original location.

In Spanish, “tapa” means top. “Tio” means uncle. Culturally, the combining of both terms are often used as a nickname when referring to the oldest member of a generation, a means of respect and honor towards the elders in the family. The men are referred to as “tapatios,” the women “tapatias.” Beyond its abundant menus, fresh tortillas and chips, Tapatio’s credits much of its success to simply, “Good, fresh ingredients and friendly service,” says Sandra. “Our customers are everything, and we give them 100-percent satisfaction.”

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SPECIAL

1

Implement walking meetings

Is Your Business

Having a forward-thinking wellness program in the workplace isn’t necessarily a new concept. But these initiatives are far more than eating healthy and weight-loss goals. We’ll look into why it’s important to invest in the well-being of employees and how your workplace can implement healthy changes today.

Written by Annalee Mutz Photography by Richard Om

The Business Issue

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IN LATE 2015, Andy Osborn was approached by one of his partners at their accounting firm about being a part of a firm-wide initiative that would focus on the financial, mental, and physical health of employees. Being a health and wellness enthusiast, Osborn was up for the challenge and excited to embrace a unique opportunity to champion his Lakeland office toward healthy living in the workplace.

Osborn is a senior associate for CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA), an accountancy firm with a workforce of over 5,000+ employees split between 100+ offices nationwide which are then organized into six regions. Being one of the six regional champions for this new initiative, Osborn helped to implement CLA’s “Balance 360” program the summer of 2016.

The program focuses on encouraging employees to engage in activities that earn charitable dollars for an organization of their choice.

Having raised $254,000 for charities around the country, it’s safe to say this program has been a success for CLA.

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Relaxation and yoga classes on site and/or discounts for employees at local fitness centers/ studios

“In the beginning of 2018, the Lakeland office started a four-month health challenge to lose weight and become more disciplined.

We have had local businesses like the Balance Culture come in for a nutrition workshop for our employees,” says Osborn.

Wellness programs like these are not uncommon in today’s health-conscious world.

Many other workplaces in Lakeland have captured the idea that healthy work environments create healthy employees … and also productive employees.

CPS, an independent advisory firm, gives each of their employees Fitbits and rewards employees for reaching a 10,000-steps-per-day goal at the end of each month. Inspired by the healthy life modeled by their late founder Chas P. Smith, “[CPS’] partners made sure to carry on his legacy by making sure to encourage employees to live a healthy lifestyle,” says Sherrie Morgan, director of marketing and public relations for CPS. Chas P. Smith envisioned their fourth-floor space being occupied with a gym for their employees.

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Quiet spaces for mental health/ meditation breaks

“A robust, holistic wellness program includes programs and services that focus on the physical, social, emotional and mental dimensions of wellness.”

— CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH KELLY ANDREWS

Today, this space is an area where employees can partake in yoga sessions or a midday workout.

Core Wealth has also begun to implement similar initiatives and spaces at their office. Over six months ago, Core Wealth started giving employees the option to join a weekly yoga session as a team. “Happy and healthy employees make more productive employees, and everyone agreed that yoga would be the right way to do that,” says Vice President of Core Wealth, Nathan Dunham. The long-term goal for this business is to add a small gym in their office so that fitness can be accessible for all employees.

Fitness centers, healthy food options, midday yoga with the co-workers — all of this in order to help employees live healthier lives while boosting productivity in the office. But workplace wellness is ever-evolving as is the fitness and wellness industry as a whole. Being healthy isn’t a new trend.

People have always wanted to stay healthy. That’s why we have seen new diet fads fade in and out for

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years. What has changed in our culture today is what we consider to be healthy. The conversation of healthy workplaces spans past just what you eat or how often you work out. Companies are now looking at how they can better assist in the holistic health of their employees.

“A robust, holistic wellness program includes programs and services that focus on the physical, social, emotional, and mental dimensions of wellness,” says Certified Health Coach Kelly Andrews. Andrews is the founder of Andrews LLC, a wellness consulting and coaching business, and has worked with numerous offices to assist with wellness in the workplace. From her work, she has seen how it is important for workplaces to consider other programs in their wellness initiatives that cover topics such as stress and personal resilience, sleep education, personal financial management, as well as personal and career development. “Companies are also seeing the value of social connection

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time for their employees both on and off site,” Andrews adds. This could include volunteer service opportunities, creating teams for local 5k/10k races, and providing avenues for personal connection like corporate team building and wellness retreats.

“Mental health programs, self-awareness training, and communication of self-care would certainly help to maintain top employees and a healthy work environment,” says Osborn.

Investing in the overall well-being of your employees will benefit them more than just physically. Intentionally providing workplace wellness opportunities communicates that the company values its employees. “When employees feel their workplace values both their personal and professional development, they are more likely to be motivated to perform at their best,” says Andrews.

“It makes you healthier overall. It helps you focus better at work and maintain a healthy perspective,” says Morgan.

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Provide healthy eating options

A simple step for employers to begin a wellness program is to offer healthy eating options at staff and other work meetings.

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So, maybe you’re not ready to install a yoga room in your office quite yet, but there are simple ways to invest in the well-being of your employees today.

There is a significant return on such an investment. “In most service companies, like professional services firms, payroll is the single largest organizational expense,” says Osborn.

“This means it is crucial to the health of the company for its human capital to be cared for.

A successful program will return both hard and soft cost to the organization. The soft cost savings show up in the happier, more productive employee that will be likely to stay at the firm longer. The employee will also work harder for an organization knowing the company cares and values the employee.”

The hard cost savings may appear in reduced health claims, lowered premiums paid by the employer, and lowered costs for training and recruitment. “The mutual benefit of wellness programs seems to be a no-brainer for me,” Osborn says.

So, how can similar programs be implemented in other local offices and be successful?

The truth is that you may not have the resources today to implement a full-out wellness program like Balance 360, buy Fitbits for all your new employees, or build a fitness studio in your office. However, there are simple actions that employers can slowly integrate into their

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Photo Courtesy of Special Collections, Lakeland Public Library

The “welcome arch” was built in 1914 over Kentucky Avenue in Lakeland, Florida to welcome a convention of Confederate Veterans to the city. It remained in place until the mid 1920’s.

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Workplaces are also made up of people from varied backgrounds. Living healthy may mean something different for one person than the next.

RESOURCES Connect with the Polk Vision’s Worksite Wellness Team: portal.polkvision.com/ worksite-wellness-team CDC Workplace Scorecard: This scorecard assesses your current wellness program and provides resources for the areas of growth in the program. cdc.gov/ workplacehealthpromotion/ The Wellness Council of America, welcoa.org.

Search for “Welcoa’s 7 Benchmarks of Success.” This article is an overview of Welcoa’s benchmark approach to creating results-oriented workplace wellness programs.

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work environments, such as “providing healthy eating options at staff and other work meetings, implementing walking meetings, office area or quiet spaces designated for mental health breaks and meditation, mindfulness classes, relaxation and yoga classes on site, or discounts for employees at area fitness centers and yoga studios,” says Andrews.

CPS employees encourage each other to take the stairs and frequently walk to lunch together.

They also provide designated spaces outside where employees can take a break and get some fresh air, helping employees to recharge and focus before returning to their desks.

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However, workplaces are also made up of people from varied backgrounds. Living healthy may mean something different for one person than the next. “A successful wellness program is a culture of wellness rather than a step-by-step guide,” says Osborn. So it’s important for an employer to hear and understand the real needs of the employees for these wellness initiatives to be successful. “The best way to find out what employees want in terms of wellness programs and services is to ask them through a variety of channels, including employee surveys, focus groups, department meetings, staff retreats, and one-on-one interviews,” says Andrews.

Overall, the success of wellness initiatives comes down to a company’s mission. Workplaces should strive for a genuine care for the well-being of their employees, and a healthy workplace should be connected to the fundamentals that make up its organization. “The mission statement for the wellness program needs to be a part of the company’s short- and long-term strategic priorities, goals, and measurable objectives,” says Andrews.

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The Business Issue

We’ve long championed the unique opportunities for small business owners in our city.

Yet without these larger established corporations such ventures may not be possible. They increase our economy, further our developments, and evolve our potential for improvement and growth.

In this issue of The Lakelander, we simply could not overlook the key role big businesses play for the overall health and quality of life for Lakeland, particularly when a Fortune 500 is among us.

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MARKET

Written by Kristin Crosby

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lkld lkld While Lakeland has long created a significant space and financial bolster for many entrepreneurs and small businesses, it equally works to attract large businesses.

Corporations such as Publix, Geico, and Lockheed Martin continue to impact job growth and the development of our city in more ways than one.

“Big businesses play a huge role in the health of any city,” says Kelly Deese, vice president of business development for the Lakeland Economic Development Council (LEDC).

“In terms of scale, there is a large impact. You think of what it means to have a Fortune 100 headquarter, like Publix, in Lakeland. From a community standpoint, it’s part of a pride of place, of what puts Lakeland on that map.”

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The largest employee-owned company in the U.S., Publix landed on the Fortune 500 Companies 2018 list at number 85. Publix also came in at number 47 on Fortune’s Top 100 Companies to Work For, one of only 10 companies to have made the list every year since its inception in 1998. As a major employer, Publix’s relationship with the city has led the way big companies can impact and grow our city, in more ways than one.

E CO NO MIC IMPACTS

Regardless of last year’s Hurricane Irma, Polk County’s industrial market continues to move steadily upward.

According to a Cushman & Wakefield quarterly report, by the end of 2017, “The county added 5,968 jobs yearover-year, a 2.1% increase in employment. Unemployment dropped 130 basis points (bps) from 5.6% to 4.3%. All industrial employment sectors saw job gains, especially trade, transportation, and utilities, which added 1,100 jobs, a 2.0% increase.”

Great economic impacts and increased job growth are the initial, obvious factors that play into attracting businesses of this magnitude for our city. “Any city that attracts, recruits, and retains large corporations,” says Deese, “leads to a large economic impact. Jobs created, capital investment, and tax revenue feed the economy of Lakeland. Having Geico, Summit, and Lockheed provide jobs with high wages and benefits, presents salary opportunities to the community.”

“Bringing jobs and growing our economic capacity, and growing our population, are all part of what make this city vital,” says Mayor Bill Mutz. “So we are very: A) pro-big business-attracting; and B) to the extent that we can bring it downtown, we want to.”

Currently, with over 30 major employers in our city, with 200 up to 8,000 employees, big businesses are keeping Lakeland’s economy and growth on the uphill.

“Big businesses have to pay property taxes and utilities,” says Deese. “Even manufacturers that have a lot of utilities, that’s a good dividend for the city.” It is many of these large companies that not only offer job growth, but that put up a lot up a lot of the money that helps our city continue to grow in high quality of life, increasing our parks, keep our fire department running, and benefit the overall development of the city.

BEYOND THE ECONOMIC DRAW TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES HERE LIES THE UNIQUE BEYOND THE ECONOMIC DRAW TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES HERE LIES THE UNIQUE COMPONENTS THAT MAKE A BUSINESS AND CITY RIGHT FOR EACH OTHER. lies the unique components that make a business and a city right for each other. Which is where the LEDC comes into play. For large businesses to choose to make the move to a new city, the last factors to come to mind are the peopleto-people interactions. But it is essentially what it is. “It’s important from the city office,” notes Mutz, “that we can meet with CEOs and give them the confidence, and listen to what it is that they want to do. On the LEDC side, it’s important that we have other large companies here that will participate in those meetings as well.”

Supportive, growing, successful businesses like Publix allow the city to tell their stories. With its momentous growth, Publix, despite already 1,000 employees here in Lakeland, continues to expand what they’re doing at their headquarters two-fold. LEDC and the city can share such stories of success when pitching to potential clients.

“LEDC is our lasso for trying to attract and pull in big businesses,” Mutz says. “They’re the early contact point, and they’re the early incentive addresser.”

It is the LEDC that leads the journey in attracting, communicating with, and essentially bringing new businesses, covering details such as tax abatement, transportation funds,

T H E R I GH T F I T

“You always want to attract large companies that fit who you are as a community,” says Mutz, “in terms of the jobs they can bring and the incentives they may expect. And that becomes the dicey part. We’re competing with other communities always, in the country. So when big businesses come, they generally do not have to be geographically located here. They can have a preference perhaps because it’s Florida and there may be some tax advantages there, when they’re comparing us to other cities in the Southeast, typically in Georgia and South Carolina.”

Beyond the economic draw to attract large businesses here

C I T Y G OVERNM ENT - LAKELAND ’S 4TH LARGE ST E M P LOYER A l t ho ug h no t te chnically a “bu sin e ss,” th e City of Lake lan d e mploys over 2 ,2 00 pe ople in a var ie ty of profe ssion s.

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p Fo und ed i n 193 0 i n Wi nter H aven, F l o ri d a ,

by Geo rg e W. J enk i ns

PUBLIX 1930

Th is ye ar, B ran d Fin an ce n am e d Lake lan d-base d Pu blix th e N o. 1 bran d in th e state.

Pu blix ran k s as th e #1 1 2 bran d ou t of th e 5 00 m ost valu able bran ds in th e U. S .

Recei ved numero us awa rd s fo r b ei ng a g reat p l a ce to s ho p a nd wo rk

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and all the incentives for businesses in the city. Though, beyond attracting companies, the LEDC and the city seek to find the right fit with each new prospect, as each directly impacts the developments throughout the city, particularly downtown.

Another important deciding factor companies look for is location. “It’s why we want commercial aviation here,” Mutz states emphatically, “and we’re going to get that done, by the way. That is a front and center quest of mine. We’ve got to have three to four flights a day, because large companies want to bring a vendor that can come in in the morning and leave in the afternoon.” Prospective businesses weigh a city’s proximity city to an airport, always a key attraction, though location plays a vital role in a variety of ways.

“Any real estate decision is based on location,” Deese says.

“One large attraction [to companies moving to Lakeland] is our proximity to I-4. You have 9 million people in a

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100-mile radius where warehouses and manufacturers can distribute to a large population. Available workforce is a requirement large businesses are looking for. Businesses want to know there’s a workforce there that will be employable. Also, we have five universities in Polk County which we [at LEDC] highlight when we meet with prospect businesses. We let them know there are 18,000 students within our city limits.”

Recently, Forbes reported the Lakeland-Winter Haven MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) as the fastest growing in the country. Even unemployment rates within Lakeland fall lower than a city we may be competing on a project with, which shows there will be more people here ready for jobs.

Though, what major employers can bring to Lakeland matters equally to what the city can offer them. “Businesses have to contribute to the load that they will carry,” Mutz says, “and it depends what that business is. For us downtown

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SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Th i s l i b era l a rts university has grown rapidl y through the ye ars a nd continues to inc rea se its em ploym ent.

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that means parking, so we’re going to have to think about a garage that connects with that kind of an initiative. And how much do we share in that process, because we are beneficiaries. At night, for example, downtown parking — if they are downtown for the public, because they’ll be out of those spaces and we can occupy those spaces. But parking spaces are $15,000 a space. Typically, today in a building, if you make the building particularly attractive, maybe $20,000 a space. Big issue. And we don’t have any extra parking. We don’t have enough parking for the people we have downtown right now, so there is going to be a lot of pressure on that. Or if they go into a park, then we have to make sure we have the infrastructure associated on that in terms of roads and water and utility. And that can create a huge economic deterrent if you’re competing against a city that doesn’t want to penalize them for that.

We’re believers [at large] as we bring big businesses here, that they need to share in their impact. So you have to negotiate that.”

E DU CAT ION’ S R OLE

For major corporations, the quality of education in our area is one of the key factors in the decision of whether to move here. For Florida as a whole and Polk County in particular, education here has had its challenges, and from an overview perspective for prospects this is likely the only story on Lakeland’s education they hear. For prospects coming from a major market, they may read Polk County’s economic journal articles on the web and may be concerned with Lakeland’s education, although the city’s assets in education, the many academies and programs that stand outside of the normal education route, are our bestkept secrets.

“Think about this,” Mutz says. “You’re moving a company. You’ve got a 13 and 15 year old. You’re not going to move twice in their school lifetime. You want to land your business and your home in a place that’s not going to mess that up. This becomes a huge consideration for them, and it affects who we attract.” For example, LEDC went to Baltimore before Lockheed Martin expanded to Lakeland.

There were over 100 employees, and the company was preparing to close an office there. The hardest sell was the idea of education available within Lakeland. “That is probably our biggest deterrent on attracting some big businesses,” Mutz says.

Last year, an LEDC case study discovered several employees working in Lakeland that the city might have attracted as residents, but who instead are currently living

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in Tampa or Orlando and commuting. “So this is a big void we need to fix,” Mutz says, “because we have much here we need to celebrate in educational opportunities.”

The city is currently working on an initiative of monthly wins so that the government and LEDC can feature and celebrate what is right in Lakeland. “We’re working very hard with Polk County Schools to be able to celebrate the many things we’re doing right,” Mutz says. “It’s interesting, if you go to Tallahassee and talk about education and leadership in different counties, the people in Tallahassee think Polk County has done a great job because we have so many academies. We lead in the state as far as academies and specialized training. We don’t tell people that story well.”

Mutz also suggests that currently there is too much emphasis placed on young people to attend college and not enough emphasis on workforce development.

“Approximately 30 percent of students that graduate today need to go to college to obtain their choice of career and can sustain the debt load, even including scholarships. So what do we do with really 70 percent of the population that could be equipped well?” he asks. “Today you can graduate from Polk State College, and two years after you’ve been through the aeronautics school, have a fully paid pilot’s license where you become an avionics mechanic. Pilots and airplane mechanics are two huge needs we have nationally.

Those people all get jobs.

“Our academy programs are some of the finest rated in the state of Florida,” Mutz continues, referencing Harrison Academy of Fine Arts, one of two fine arts academies in the state (the second, in Miami). “We have great opportunities here.”

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Another issue in bringing in more big business is the city’s master planning. “When you do a master plan for a downtown,” says Mutz, “you have to think in terms of what we want to create versus what opportunities come from the side that we didn’t anticipate. So you have to have both the discipline of design as well as the flexibility of including what can occur. That’s why you have to have footprints that can accommodate these things. We work on lots of iterations at this, and we work with companies that people may not recognize. For example, Publix has a thousand employees downtown right now. They’ve occupied businesses that were empty. The Ledger building is now full of Publix employees and other employees in other buildings throughout downtown. So where we would’ve had an office at a vacancy rate that’s very high, we have almost no vacancy rate.”

Still, Lakeland’s market rates for office space are lower than Tampa or Orlando since it is a secondary-size city, not a primary-size city. “We probably have another $10 a square foot that we need to figure out how to capture in downtown that we don’t have today,” notes Mutz, “and those are parts of what drives parking, or the absence thereof. So you will take a less expensive per square foot

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space. We also need to walk more in Lakeland. I mean, we want to park right next to everything.”

In recent years the city has had many additions, most of which have not been downtown. “Most of those have been in parks, and they’ve exceeded the growth in most cases of what the incentives provide,” says Mutz, “because we do have very specific incentives based on the number of employees that get hired. Only a couple of them have ever fallen off of those rates. And when that occurs, if we’ve advanced those incentives, incentives get restored. (In other words, they don’t end up costing the taxpayers money.)”

By 2030, Mutz predicts Lakeland will have half a million people. “We have the impact of water that we have to figure out,” he says. “And our city leads in so many great areas, that if businesses are looking for a high-quality life community, one that is flexible enough to figure out how to make things work for them, one where there’s not big traffic issues that exist in some of the other communities, and one where we show leadership, sustainably in terms of even the quality of our water here (which can sound like a silly thing but it’s going to become more and more important in the next two decades, because water quality is being very marginalized, and even how we get rid of that water — the seven wetlands project is a highlight of that), those are things that big businesses like to celebrate. And we lead in many of those little categories.”

T HE B I G A N D T H E S MA L L

One of LEDC’s largest contributions to the city has been the establishment of Catapult, a coworking space dedicated to launching the city’s entrepreneurs. The more large businesses the city welcomes, the more it feeds the Catapult entries and idea creators. “We want to grow small businesses dramatically,” says Mutz. “Eighty percent of the job growth in the past decade has come from small businesses, not large. Large businesses have the pressure

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© 2018 Regions Bank. Member FDIC. NMLS# 174490. All loans subject to qualification, required documentation and credit approval.

Certain exclusions may apply. Loan terms and availability subject to change. The Annual Percentage Rate on all adjustable rate mortgages is subject to change after consummation period. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank.

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on them all the time of reducing the employees they have, by systemizing more effectively and outsourcing to some degree. Those are opportunities you have on an outsourcing basis with large businesses around. So you want to keep a mix. It’s very important.”

The more small businesses add to the culture and attraction of downtown, the more it will attract big businesses. And vice versa. “Which is why we’re continuing to grow housing downtown, and we will have a Publix downtown,” Mutz predicts. “We just need some more density to be able to do that. But big businesses give small businesses all sorts of opportunities. We’re talking with several companies right now that many people would be very thrilled to know they’re thinking about coming here, as well as retail outlets. Those are part of what you get when you come along.”

Though Lakeland is not near the density of Orlando or Tampa, it contains a very high quality of life. This year, the Lakeland-Winter Haven MSA landed as the number-one philanthropic per capita city in the state. “There’s a very generous spirit,” Mutz says. “This is a community with a lot of heart. You can think, Well, all communities have a lot of heart. This community has a lot of heart. And it’s different.

I’ve lived in several different places. I can promise you, this is just different.”

Contact me about home financing.

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Š 2018 Regions Bank. Member FDIC. NMLS# 174490. All loans subject to qualification, required documentation and credit approval. Certain exclusions may apply. Loan terms and availability subject to change. The Annual Percentage Rate on all adjustable rate mortgages is subject to change after consummation period. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

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863.682.4725

Compassionate Lakeland Veterinarians AAHA Accreditation - Top 12-15% in the USA! Chiropractic care offered Yes...we are cat friendly too!

(863) 646 - 5683

marshalljewelerslakeland.com I SS U E 42

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HISTORY

The Sanborn Camera Shop and Walgreen Drug Store shared occupancy of a building at the corner of Main Street and Tennessee Avenue. date: 1951 Photo courtesy of the Lakeland Public Library.

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

69

years of

EXPERIENCED MINDS handling

COMPLEX MATTERS Since 1948, Peterson & Myers has provided experienced legal advice to help our clients’ innovative ideas become a reality.

We believe each client deserves attorneys who create learned, practical, individualized solutions in a constantly changing and complex environment. Please call us or visit our website today for more information about our time-tested legal experience.

SS U E 3 6 PETERSONMYERS.COM • 863.683.6511 • ILAKELAND | WINTER HAVEN | LAKE WALES

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WATSON CLINIC HIGHLANDS

PHASE 2 NOW OPEN!

This expansion adds nearly 39,000 square feet to our popular Watson Clinic Highlands campus, and delivers more doctors, more services and greater convenience than ever before. Patients can now enjoy easy access to additional specialties including General Surgery, Hand Surgery, Internal Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Priority Care for same and next day appointments, an expanded Radiology department and a second location for our Medical Spa at Watson Clinic.

2300 E. County Road 540A • Lakeland • 863-607-3333 • Follow us on:

For a full list of services at this location visit WatsonClinic.com/Highlands.